Ranchi, May 6: A seminar on kharif crop in the capital stressed the need for scientific development of agriculture in Jharkhand.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day state-level workshop on kharif crops at the Biotech Lab of the Birsa Agriculture University, vice-chancellor S.N. Pandey said, “The infrastructure of the state is not very good when it comes to agriculture. The farmers are very poor. They are an exploited lot.”

Devidhan Besra, state minister for agriculture, was the chief guest. “The government does not help the agricultural university in a proper manner. If given the right opportunity and resources, we can work wonders. We are here to develop the state as far as agriculture is concerned.”

“Everything has to happen at the right time when it comes to agricultural universities. The climate of the state, though pretty good, is unpredictable. It is difficult to predict the quantum of rainfall.”

“One must know the system of water management. Though our farmers know about it, they have to be educated further. The farmers here have to be taught about alternative farming methods. Cultivation of medicinal plants can be profitable in Jharkhand. We can make a lot of money if it is done in a proper manner,” Pandey said.

Shiv Basant, secretary, agriculture, said, “The government has always been ready to develop agriculture. We admit that there are some loopholes, but they will be plugged.”

Devidhan Besra said, “Jharkhand is a backward state when it comes to agriculture. We do not have good seeds and the economic condition of the farmers is poor. But we are in the process of developing it. We have brought high-yield seeds and have distributed them among the farmers. New machines are been brought for tilling and harvesting. Training programmes have been organised for sowing during kharif season. It is wrong to say that nothing has been done.”

Benefit block

Road construction minister Sudesh Mahato said the benefits of government-sponsored welfare projects have not reached the remote areas of the state even two years after the formation of Jharkhand.

“The fruits of development have been cornered by a few people. We should make attempts to take the benefits of government-sponsored welfare schemes to everyone,” he said.

Mahato, who was here to attend the All-Jharkhand Student Union (Ajsu) “Janjagran rally”, urged the government to initiate steps to provide primary education to all in the state.