BJP's Pravin Darekar Urges Rural Youth To Take Up Farming

BJP legislator Pravin Darekar has urged rural youth to stay in their villages and pursue farming and agro-processing businesses to create sustainable livelihoods. He made this appeal while speaking at a farmers’ meet organised by the Kalkai Mata Krida Va Samajik Sanstha in Poladpur taluka.

The event included the distribution of agricultural kits to farmers and medical kits to ASHA workers. Darekar expressed his disappointment that despite development in several talukas across Maharashtra, similar progress had not taken place in his native Poladpur. He emphasized the importance of self-reliance, saying that the future of the villages depends on the efforts of their own people.

Darekar cited examples of farmers and entrepreneurs who had undertaken innovative projects and encouraged young people to form teams and take up large-scale agricultural activities. He assured financial and government support to farmers willing to expand their operations. He specifically mentioned a local farmer, Amar Kadam, who currently cultivates one acre, and said he would extend support if Kadam expanded farming to 25-50 acres.

Darekar also stressed the importance of soil testing and organic farming, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on soil testing. He warned that excessive use of chemicals had damaged soil quality as well as human health, and that organic manure, healthy soil, and organic crops would become increasingly important.

Instead of migrating to cities like Mumbai, Darekar urged young people to take up farming and agro-processing in their villages. He warned that failure to create economic opportunities locally could leave the next generation in the same situation. He also appealed to people who had moved to cities to contribute to the development of their native villages.

Darekar announced the ‘Namo Sahakar Taxi’ initiative in Mumbai, under which around 2,000 drivers would be provided taxis through Devdatt Transport and Tourism Cooperative Society. He said the drivers would be members and partners in the cooperative, with the profits going directly to them.

The event was attended by a large number of farmers, ASHA workers, public representatives, officials, and BJP and Shiv Sena functionaries. Darekar’s appeal to rural youth is significant, as it highlights the need to create sustainable livelihoods in rural areas and to promote farming and agro-processing as viable career options.

In the context of Maharashtra’s rural development, Darekar’s initiative is a step in the right direction. The state has been working to promote agriculture and allied activities, and to create economic opportunities in rural areas. However, more needs to be done to address the challenges faced by farmers and to promote sustainable farming practices.

Overall, Darekar’s appeal to rural youth is a call to action, urging them to take up farming and agro-processing and to contribute to the development of their native villages. It is a reminder that the future of rural India depends on the efforts of its own people, and that collective action is needed to create sustainable livelihoods and to promote rural development.

The significance of Darekar’s initiative lies in its potential to create a positive impact on the lives of rural youth and farmers. By promoting farming and agro-processing, and by providing financial and government support, Darekar’s initiative can help to create sustainable livelihoods and to promote rural development. It is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that it will inspire others to follow suit.