Farmers in Banaskantha Turn Potatoes into Gold, Says PM Modi in Jibe at Rahul Gandhi
PM Modi praises Banaskantha farmers for potato production, highlighting agricultural advancements and a jab at Rahul Gandhis past remarks.
Bhilardi, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently commended farmers in Banaskantha, Gujarat, for transforming the region into a leading hub for potato production. Speaking at a gathering in Bhilardi, he emphasized that the farmers no longer need promises of turning potatoes into gold, as their hard work already achieves that.
Modi noted that the availability of Narmada river water and the adoption of modern irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, have significantly improved the agricultural landscape of Banaskantha. He stated, “Banaskantha’s potatoes are now famous worldwide. There’s no need for anyone to come here and claim they can turn potatoes into gold. The people here can proudly say they are already doing it.”
The Prime Minister’s comments were a direct response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had made a similar remark about potatoes during a speech in Patan on November 12, 2017, referring to “potatoes inside, gold outside.”
Modi also highlighted the expansion of a potato processing plant in Sanadar, which produces French fries. He explained that this expansion would increase the plant’s capacity and allow for more potatoes to be purchased from local farmers. This facility is expected to create an additional market for potato producers by linking agricultural production with food processing.
During his visit, Modi praised the Banasa Dairy Cooperative, noting its contributions to the cooperative movement beyond Gujarat, including in his constituency of Varanasi. He remarked, “The dairy experience and services have benefited the people in my constituency as well.”
The Prime Minister also discussed the government’s horticulture cluster development program, which has approved 12 clusters for crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, chilies, grapes, bananas, onions, oranges, pomegranates, and cocoa. This initiative aims to assist farmers in planting new orchards and rejuvenating existing ones, with subsidies provided for support.
Two of these clusters are located in northern Gujarat, expected to benefit potato farmers in Banaskantha and Sabarkantha. These projects are part of broader efforts to enhance horticulture and improve the value chain for farmers by linking agriculture to processing and markets.
Modi urged farmers to conserve water and electricity, recalling the resistance he faced as Gujarat’s Chief Minister when he encouraged careful use of these resources. He concluded by stating that the availability of Narmada water and micro-irrigation has helped overcome previous obstacles and transformed agricultural prospects in the region.
