The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) has suggested setting up of agri clinics in districts of Punjab and Haryana.
The clinics will test soil, devise techniques for water management and accordingly inform farmers to cultivate agri and horti produce to earn higher yields.
Releasing the `Agricultural Scenario: Agenda for Farmers Prosperity? study in Chandigarh on Thursday, D S Rawat, Assocham secretary general called for establishment of agriculture training institutes (ATIs), agri-processing zones and knowledge SEZs in the region to make it agri knowledge centre of the country.
Punjab and Haryana will arrange funds for these clinics. Fertilisers, seeds and pesticides companies operating in this part of the country should be asked to contribute to setting up such institutions and in return, be empowered to manage the proposed institutions.
Currently, farmers are encouraged to shift their crop growing patterns excessively towards cash crops, as a result of which suicide cases have multiplied in the recent past among cash crop growing farmers? communities.
The proposed agri clinics will motivate farmers to make value additions in their agricultural and horticultural products, which will bring higher returns on their investments.