News @ Jains - Water Management & Drip irrigation must for Agriculture - Saurabhbhai Patel, Minister for Energy

Highlights :

• Jain Irrigation opens Micro-Irrigation Plant in Bhavnagar, Gujarat
• Dignitaries praise contributions of Jain Irrigation to agricultural sector
• More than 3000 Gujarat farmers attend plant inauguration ceremony
• Solar Agriculture Pump and shednet major attractions for Gujarat farmers
• Farmers attend workshop on hi-tech cotton cultivation
• First such grand ceremony in Rural Gujarat

Bhavnagar, Feb 13, 2011 : “Water management is more important than the energy management for the development of agriculture in India,” Gujarats Minister for Energy Saurabhbhai Patel said in the presence of over 3000 farmers here. Mr Patel also expressed confidence that the new project of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. (JISL) will give a new direction to the agricultural sector in Gujarat.

Saurabhbhai Patel inaugurated JISLs micro-irrigation plant at Sihor in Bhavnagar district on 13th February. Local MLA Keshubhai Nakrani, President of Gujarat Green Revolution Haribhai Patel, Cotton Research Institutes Dr M. D. Khanpara, APMC President B.T. Patel, JISL Vice-Chairman Ashok Jain, Marketing Director Atul Jain and Government officers attended the inaugural function. This plant has begun the production of micro-irrigation sets, sprinklers and pipes.

The Minister said that Gujarat had become self-sufficient in terms of electricity and ample electricity is available even in remote corners of Gujarat. For this purpose, Gujarat Government has set up new 130 substations in the rural areas of the state. Mr Patel said that we have made enough electricity available for agriculture sector and now we are working for effective and efficient water conservation. Now we are focusing on effective water management. He further added that Jain Irrigations new technology has made our task very easy and simple. He appealed all farmers in Gujarat to adopt the drip technology. Farmers from all over India have understood the advantages of drip irrigation technology. He appealed Jain Irrigation to contribute to the extension of high technology in Gujarat agriculture sector. Mr Patel said while accepting that along with the other crops, cotton yield has increased due to the drip irrigation technology.

MLA Keshubhai Nakrani, who also spoke on the occasion, was very happy that this project has started functioning in his constituency. He also added that farmers will now get JISLs hi-tech products very much earlier due to the inauguration of JISLs new plant in Gujarat. Mr Nakrani also congratulated JISL for the good quality of their products which he said farmers can even buy with their eyes closed.

President of Gujarat Green Revolution Haribhai Patel said that drip irrigation does not only save water but it saves energy also. Farmers are also now very much eager to follow & adopt hi-tech agricultural technology. He feels very happy & welcomed Jain Irrigation in Gujrat industrial & agricultural sector.

JISL Marketing Director Atul Jain in his speech said that we have achieved this progress only due to the trust of farmers from all over India in our modern products. He added that JISL is committed to the development of agricultural sector in Gujarat. He chose to speak in Gujarati – the local language – amidst a big applause from the local farmers as well as dignitaries.

Gujarat Minister for Energy Saurabhbhai Patel inaugurated the JISL plant by cutting a ribbon before the formal inaugural speeches of the dignitaries.

JISL has started this second plant in Gujarat. First project of JISL is already functioning as a food processing unit plant at Padra in Baroda district since 1996. In the new plant, JISL shall invest Rs 25 crore in the first phase and shall invest Rs 100 crore in all the phases.

Jain Solar Pump and Shednet – Major attractions

On this occasion, JISL has displayed the demonstration of Jain Solar Pump on the demo van, Greenhouse, and high technology irrigation methods such as drip, sprinklers, foggers etc. All people were attracted to these demonstrations and farmers were curious about these new products.

Dr. Mishras Guidance in Gujarati to Gujarat farmers

The scientist of JISL Dr. Mishra also spoke in Gujarati language and told farmers to increase the output of food grains and other crops by adopting the drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. After his speech, farmers asked a few questions to him and he answered those in Gujarati language. Mr V. B. Patil, an agriculture expert of JISL, also guided the farmers by delivering a speech.