Gujarat CM Narendra Modi launches Krishi Mahotsav

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi launched the 7th Krishi Mahotsav at Akodara near Himmatnagar on the auspicious occasion of Akha Trij on Friday.

Modi claimed that the agricultural revolution has brought an additional 13 lakh hectare land in the state under farming. He exhorted farmers to adopt better technology and to opt for value addition of agricultural produce to supplement their income.

Nearly one lakh government officers, employees and agriculture scientists will accompany krishi raths to cover all 18,000 villages in the state.

Modi also inaugurated the country's first animal hostel in Akodara. He described it as a revolutionary move.  However, an NGO has criticized the concept.

“Cattle rearing cannot be undertaken by using fancy and modern name as animal hostel. A panjrapol is essential for old and weak animals, but it is a jail-like punishment for milking animals,” Mahesh Pandya of NGO Paryavaran Mitra, said.