Seminar on textile industry aimed at addressing agrarian crisis: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Stating that the Make in India Week would address the issue of agrarian crisis in Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said a dedicated seminar on textile industry is aimed at cherishing the dream of 'from farm to fashion', which would help state's cotton growers.

Fadnavis said the food processing industry is vital for sustainable agriculture and the Week would have a separate session on this issue. He added that only through food processing opportunities can the farmers receive remuneration. The CM also said that cotton growers in Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of North Maharashtra would benefit from the textile policy and that the government would be creating textile parks.

Fadnavis said only 25% of the cotton grown in Maharashtra is utilised for value addition. If it is possible through textile parks to ensure that 100% cotton is utilised for value addition, state's farmers would be the biggest beneficiaries of the Make in India Week, he added.

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Centre is also taking steps towards providing farmers better facilities so that manufacturing can be linked with agriculture produce. She added that the biggest reason for the agrarian crisis is lack of storage facilities for farm produce and, through the Make in India Week, investors in this field would be attracted, which would be an advantage for farmers.