Nagpur: BJP President Nitin Gakdari on Tuesday advised farmers from Vidarbha not to take the extreme step of committing suicide and asked them to improve their financial condition by availing of farm subsidies given by the Centre.
"You all (farmers) should develop inner strength and self-confidence to overcome the crisis in agriculture and not resort to suicide," he said and suggested them to fully utilise subsidies provided by the government.
Gadkari was addressing a gathering of farmers and experts who recently toured Israel to learn new techniques to improve farm yield and augment milk production in Nagpur.
In Israel, the average rainfall is just six inches while in Maharashtra it is 45 inches.
Enterprising farmers there are utilising best drip irrigation methods to get maximum farm output, the former Maharashtra Minister said.
Be it horticulture, floriculture, agriculture or dairy products, Israel tops in terms of area and output, he said.
Gadkari said Israel was using the best available technology and methodology to improve farm production and its farmers are minting money.
A delegation of 50 farmers from Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, led by Gadkari, had in May visited Israel to take part in an agricultural technology exhibition.
Gadkari is also Chairman of Purti Group of Industries, which is engaged in production of sugar, fertilisers, power and ethanol.
On use of ethanol, the BJP chief said the motor fuel, which can be produced from wheat, corn, beet, sweet sorghum, was far cheaper than petrol.
Gadkari said he has suggested top mobike manufacturer Hero Group make ethanol-based engine for motorcycles to reduce dependence on petrol.
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