Preparations made, invitations sent and resources collected. Raje-led Rajasthan government is ready to flaunt its agricultural know-how at GRAM 2016, India’s biggest agricultural meet. The event is scheduled from 9th to 11th November 2016 at JECC (Sitapura, Jaipur), wherein Rajasthan’s foreign partners Israel, Canada, Netherlands and Australia will lend their agricultural secrets to boost agriculture, agro-marketing and agriculture-based trade in the state.
What is GRAM 2016?
“Raje’s GRAM is a newfangled vision for creating a technically sound, sustainable, green and productive Rajasthan based on agriculture; despite intense heat, dessert landscape and water scarcity affecting its yield.”
It is probably the biggest agriculture-based event showcasing best global practices and agricultural technologies to boost harvest in intense agro-climatic conditions of Rajasthan.
Strength of Incoming Participants in GRAM
This mega-event will witness participation of:
50,000 farmers from Rajasthan and adjoining states,
166 Agro companies,
12 to 15 union ministers,
6 foreign ambassadors per participating country.
With GRAM 2016, government provides a freshness, uniqueness and novelty in the field of irrigation, farming, agro-marketing and agriculture-based trade. Having said this, let’s check out the top 5 Highlights of GRAM 2016.
5 Unparalleled Highlights of GRAM: Things that are Missing in other Regular Fairs
#1 Celebrity Animals Displaying Their Talents
This event is an elaborate exhibition of best animalistic talents. Celebrity animals will steal the show from their animal counterparts. Here are some performances you should look forward to:
Strength display by 10.6 feet tall Murrah bull Yuvraj weighing 1500kgs.
Acrobatics by Hansraj, the super-flexible camel.
Multi-colour coated rare Malani horses.
Indigenously bred Kadaknath chicken (whose meat is low on cholesterol and high on nutrients).
#2 Farm Mechanisation To Save Labour
Mechanisation of farm includes setting up Kisan centres at village levels to provide high-level agricultural equipment and tools to state farmers. At GRAM 2016, government will attempt to teach farmers the technical use of advanced agriculture tool to cut down labour costs. With this time savvy-technology, farmers can invest their time and energy in other sustainable farming.
#3 Soil Laboratories for Testing and Boosting Soil Quality
Government has announced the set up of 55 soil testing laboratories at various places around the state. Around 14 Lac soil health cards have been distributed to farmers. With this, government aims to test soil quality. Accordingly, appropriate measures will be implemented at various locations to remove soil salinity.
#4 Pitching Agro-Marketing and Agro-Processing
Rajasthan government has proposed Agri-Processing and Agri-Marketing as a thrust sector under RIPS 2014. This proposal contains incentives and concessions to be levied under RIPS 2014, for the following categories:
Subsidy on Export of spices via Surface/Marine transport (Maximum Rs. 1000 per ton).
Subsidy for export of vegetables and fruits (20% of FOB or Rs. 4.50 per kg).
Subsidy for transporting fruits and vegetables within the country (Maximum Rs. 15 Lac per beneficiary/year for 3 years at max).
Incentives for conducting research and development in agriculture (Maximum Rs. 20 Lacs per year).
Incentives for developing an agricultural project based on modern technology (Maximum Rs. 10 lacs within 5 years).
Incentives for sending food products abroad for quality testing and certification (Rs. 2 Lac per beneficiary per year).
50% exemption of stamp duty purchase/lease of land or conveyance of plots/buildings for developing Agro-food parks.
These subsidies and incentives will attract more people into investing in agriculture sector. Consequently, GRAM 2016 is set to witness biggest investment drive in the 2 day event.
#5 Digital Mandis for Farmers to Generate Direct Profits
Digital Mandis will provide a breath of relief to state farmers who’re financially burdened by volatile commodity prices in Indian agriculture market. Farmers usually lose money to greedy brokers and get 26% lesser profits than they actually deserve.
Therefore, at GRAM, Rajasthan government plans to promote digital marketplaces where farmers and small business ventures can directly conduct business transactions with buyers and providers without involving the middlemen. Till date, government has added 11 local mandis at Padampur, Ramganj, Fatehnagar, Gangapur City, Baran, Bundi, , Bundi, Atru, Hindaun, Nagaur Kota Anaj and Merta. They plan to add 15 more to this list at GRAM. This will kill 2 birds with a single stone: provide real-time profits to farmers and familiarize them with latest online technologies.
So many novel ideas and schemes, so less time! At this 2-day event, government intends to provide an international platform for exposure to aspiring manufacturers, investors, agriculturists, farmers and researches so that they can freely interact with the experts and put best practices to use. Successful implementation of these ideas will help elevate Rajasthan’s status from a barren wasteland to a lush green, wealthy and productive agricultural state.
