AAP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney Pushes for Millets, AI, and Sustainable Farming in Punjab

 

Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, unveiled a report on Wednesday focusing on crop diversification and sustainable development.

Titled "Punjab Vision – A Blueprint for Progress," the report advocates for the inclusion of millets in the Mid-Day Meal scheme in schools and the government’s 5-kg ration scheme to promote nutritional security.

Leveraging AI for Agriculture

Sahney emphasized the need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture, suggesting the creation of AI-driven chatbots to assist farmers with sustainable crop diversification strategies.

Strengthening Agricultural Processing

Highlighting the urgent need for food processing infrastructure, Sahney proposed setting up food processing parksthrough multipurpose cooperative societies. These parks would provide storage, processing, oil extraction, flour mills, and packaging facilities for spices, pulses, honey, mushrooms, and other produce.

He also stressed the importance of organic farming, urging institutions like MARKFED and Punjab Agro to provide strong market linkages for organic products.

Crop-Specific Clusters for Regional Growth

To boost agricultural productivity, Sahney proposed setting up crop-specific clusters across Punjab:

• Pulses, oilseeds, and cotton in Malwa
• Sugarcane in Doaba
• Maize in Hoshiarpur
• Dairy development in Kapurthala
• Floriculture in Ludhiana
• Litchi cultivation in Pathankot
• Chillies in Ferozepur

Industrial Growth and Skill Development

Sahney called for the establishment of robust industrial zones and the revamping of focal points in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, and Amritsar. He also urged for operations to begin in the Rajpura industrial zone within this year.

Emphasizing the importance of skill development, he highlighted his efforts in setting up five world-class skill centersand adopting 10 ITIs to train Punjab’s youth.

Water Conservation and Sustainable Farming

Expressing concern over Punjab’s depleting water table and the presence of arsenic and other harmful substances in groundwater, Sahney recommended adopting direct-seeded rice along with micro-irrigation systems to reduce water consumption.

He also demanded immediate funds under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, as Punjab meets all the criteria for the water conservation scheme.

With these recommendations, the report outlines a comprehensive strategy for Punjab’s agricultural and industrial transformation, aiming for sustainability, economic growth, and farmer empowerment.

 

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