To
improve the economic condition of the farmers, Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi has set a target. The goal is to double the income of farmers by 2022.
For the first time, a Prime Minister has put such a target in front of the
nation for the welfare of farmers. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister,
the agriculture Ministry is working to achieve the target by 2022. The Ministry
is working sincerely and honestly to fulfill our Prime Minister’s dream. To
double the farmer income, a large number of officials and farmers have been
taking a pledge at events organized by the KVK since August 16, 2017.
Seven-point strategy
1. Increase
in production
It is important
to improve irrigation efficiency to increase production. Therefore, our
government has increased the irrigation budget. ‘Per Drop More Crop’ is our
motto. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana has been launched to mitigate the
drought effect and to ensure ‘water to every farm’. Hence, pending medium and
large projects have also been expedited. Watershed development and water
harvesting & management projects have been put on the fast track.
2. Effective
use of input cost
For the first
time, our government has introduced Soil Health Card Scheme to inform farmers
about nutrients status of the soils. This is reducing the cultivation cost as
farmers are following the recommendations and going for balanced use of
fertilisers. In addition, the Government has curbed illegal use of urea and
ensured adequate supply through Neem Coated Urea scheme. The government is also
encouraging organic farming. The adoption of new technologies in agriculture
such as space Technology is helping in better planning through forecasting of crop
production, agricultural land-use mapping, drought prediction, and utilisation
of fallow paddy fields for Rabi crops. Apart from this, farmers are getting
timely information and advisory services through online and telecom mediums
such as Kisan Call Centre and Kisan Suvidha App.
3. Reduction
of post-harvest losses
One of the
biggest problems of the farmers is storage after harvesting as a result they
are forced to sell their products at a lower cost. Therefore, the government is
encouraging farmers to use warehouses and avoid distressed sales. loans against
negotiable warehouse receipts are being provided with interest subvention
benefits. To protect farmers from losses, the government is focusing on storage
facilities and integrated cold chains in rural areas.
4. Value
Addition
The government
is also promoting quality through food processing. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada
Yojana has been started and Rs.6, 000 crore has been allocated for this project.
Under this scheme, food-processing capabilities will be developed by working on
the forward and backward linkage of agro processing cluster, which will benefit
20 lakh farmers and create employment opportunities for about 5, 00,000.
5. Reforms
in Agriculture marketing
The Central
Government is emphasizing on the need of reforms in agriculture marketing. e-NAM
was launched with three reforms and so far, 455 mandis have been linked to this
platform. Online trading has begun on various mandis. In addition, the
government has circulated model Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC)
Act, which includes private market yards and direct marketing. In addition, the
Government is also working on a Model Act to promote contract farming.
6. Risk,
Security and Assistance
The Government
has initiated Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to reduce the possible
risks. The scheme creates a security shield. The lowest rate has been fixed for
Kharif and Rabi crops. Maximum rate is 2% and 1.5% respectively. The scheme
covers standing crops as well as pre-sowing to post-harvesting losses. Not only
that, 25% of the claim is settled immediately online. New technologies like
Smartphones, satellite imagery and drones facilities are being utilised to
carry out faster assessments of crop loss under PMFBY. From this Kharif season,
the farmers can also avail customer service centre and online banking
facilities to deposit their premium. The Government has revised the norms for
assistance from SDRF and NDRF. Now, the government is providing compensation if
at least 33% of the crop is damaged. Compensation amount has been increased to
1.5 times.
7. Allied
Activities
I. Horticulture:
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme is playing
an important role in doubling the income of farmers. For this, we are providing
better planting materials, improved seed and protected cultivation,
high-density plantation, rejuvenation, and precision farming.
II. Integrated
Farming: Our
government is also using Integrated Farming System (IFS). In addition to
agriculture, the focus is also on horticulture, livestock, and bee keeping.
This scheme will not only increase farmers’ income, it will also mitigate the
effect of drought, flood, and other natural disasters.
III. White
Revolution: Indigenous breeds of cows are being conserved under
Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The genetic makeup is improving and increasing the
production of milk. The government is set to establish Dairy Processing and
Infrastructure Development Fund. In addition, Dairy entrepreneurship
Development Scheme is generating self-employment opportunities. White
Revolution has been expedited to increase the income of the farmers.
IV. Blue
Revolution: Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and
Management of Fisheries is a new initiative and it includes activities such as inland
fisheries, Aquaculture, Mariculture undertaken by National Fisheries
Development Board (NFDB). Apart from this Deep Sea Fishing scheme has also been
initiated.
V. Sub-Mission
on Agroforestry: For the first time Sub-Mission on Agroforestry has
been initiated with an aim to promote inter-cropping. Under this scheme, “Med
Per Ped” campaign has also been included.
VI. Beekeeping:
A
large number of farmers/beekeepers are being trained for bee keeping. The bee
keepers and honey societies/companies/firms are being registered. Integrated
Bee Keeping Development Centres (IBDC) are being established in the states.
VII.
Rural Backyard Poultry Development: Under this
scheme, supplementary income and nutritional support are provided to poultry
farmers. Awareness program sensitizing sheep, goat, pig and duck farmers about
opportunities to enhance income through Rural Backyard Poultry Development
mission is being carried out.
SS
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