Union Minister of State for Agriculture Launches ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign

Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, inaugurated the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative yesterday via video conference at the National Institute for Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad. This event is part of a broader series of activities under the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign, which promotes cleanliness and environmental sustainability across the country.

In conjunction with this initiative, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, led a cleanliness drive at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. Dr. Chaturvedi inspected various sections of the Department and emphasized the importance of maintaining organized and clutter-free workspaces. He instructed officials to review and dispose of outdated papers, files, and books, and to condemn unused office equipment to ensure efficiency.

As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign, Dr. Chaturvedi also administered the Swachhata pledge to officials of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, reaffirming the commitment to cleanliness and sustainable practices.

The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign, which is being spearheaded by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, is being observed from September 17 to October 1, 2024, under the theme ‘Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata’. The campaign will culminate with the celebration of Swachh Bharat Diwas on October 2, 2024.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is actively participating in the campaign, with approximately 600 swachhata-related activities planned across the country. These activities involve the Department’s subordinate and autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, and field offices.

On the opening day of the campaign, Swachhata pledges were taken at various institutions, including the Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium, Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, National Horticulture Board, Coconut Development Board, National Institute of Plant Health Management, Directorate of Sugarcane Development, and Choudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, among others.

Additionally, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drives were conducted at several locations across India, including Calicut, Faridabad, Varanasi, and Hyderabad, involving the Directorate of Arecanut and Species Development, National Seed Research & Training Centre, and the Northern Region Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, among others. This initiative underscores the Department’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its efforts to involve the public in contributing to a cleaner, greener India.