The state government's annually held Krishi Mahotsav began on Wednesday, May 20. Gujarat has carved a niche for itself in the field of agricultural development and agriculture in Gujarat is growing at a much faster rate compared to other states in India. This year as the state celebrates its Fifth Krishi Mahotsav, a proactive government role in developing the agriculture sector through investments in infrastructure, irrigation networks and other public goods has been hailed by the US-based International Food Policies Research Institute (IFPRI) as the main reason behind agriculture recording a massive annual growth rate of 9.6% in this state, the highest amongst all Indian states from 2001 to 2008, even as India's target is a modest 4%, according to a report in Business Line.
"This event is spearheaded by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi, wherein he spends about a month in the rural areas and agricultural scientists and bureaucrats follow to demonstrate the best of their technologies and innovations to farmers”
The share of cotton in Gujarat's agricultural output has increased from 6% to 12% within 6-7 years. Also, the share of high value agriculture, especially bananas and dairy, in the value of output has increased in the state. Production of fruits and vegetables have registered a robust growth of 12.8% between 2001 and 2008, which is more than double of what it was during the 1990s.
On the occasion of Krishi Mahotsav, the Chief Minister announced that Gujarat's first Animal Hostel in North Gujarat called the Kamdhenu University for Veterinary and Animal Sciences would be established.
