Govt aims at maximum allocation of funds for farmers welfare

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Tuesday said that the Central Government has been giving priority to the agriculture sector by allocating maximum funds for the farmers' welfare.

Singh, who inaugurated the two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign-2017 here, said that the government aimed at increasing the agriculture production, determining productivity and boosting dairy/livestock/fisheries while promoting agriculture education, research and extension organisation.

He said that the government has launched various schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Management, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, E-Nam, Agroforestry (Medh Par Ped) and Neem coated Urea for the farmers.

The Union Minister informed the growth rate for the agriculture and allied sectors was about four percent this year.

Singh said the total food grains production is estimated at 271.98 million tonnes for 2016-17.

He also said the production of food grains is 5.82 percent more than the last five years' average production.

"There was a record of food grains production in 2013-2014; however, this year's yield was 2.61 percent higher as compared to 2013-14," he added.

Singh said the farmers have started reaping the benefits of the schemes initiated by the department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare like National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana(RKVY), and Total Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Singh further said the Kharif season is around the corner, adding it is, therefore, imperative for the state governments to make plans to procure high-quality seeds of several types of crops and fertilisers for the farmers.

"The state governments should ensure that there is no scarcity of inputs during the cropping season," he added.

To ensure that the farmers avail the benefits of Fasal Bima Yojana, the government launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana from 2016 Kharif season after improvising the earlier insurance scheme.

For soil health, the government has started Soil Health Card scheme. To promote organic farming, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana has been launched. To increase farmers' income, the government is also focusing on agroforestry and bee-keeping.