Agri-schemes can't succeed if implemented in select states:Min

The country's agriculture sector cannot be strengthened if agri-schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana are implemented in BJP-ruled states alone, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
The schemes are meant for all states. The Centre will make efforts to speed up implementation of schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana and Soil Health Card Scheme in all states irrespective of party affiliation, he said.
He also said that farmers suicide was a concern and it was due to non-implementation of agri-schemes at state level.
"The Prime Minister and I believe that all agricultural schemes are for all states. The country's agriculture sector will not be strengthened if agri-schemes are implemented in BJP-ruled states alone," Singh said at an interactive session organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce here.

The sector cannot grow if farmers benefit from the schemes in BJP-ruled states alone. "Be it Congress or BJP, our aim is to speed up implementation of all schemes in all states," he noted.
Noting that the Centre is not keeping quite thinking that the agricutlure is a state subject, he said: "We are reaching out to states and sitting with state officials to address their concern and ensure speedy implementation all schemes."

The results of the new schemes rolled out in the last two and half years will be seen in the coming years, he added.
He was replying to a query that why the central government was not pursuading BJP-ruled states to implement agri-schemes at the earliest.

To another query if the government can ensure that no farmers commit suicide after 2020, Singh said, "It is a cause of concern even if one farmer commits suicide. Farmers suicide is mainly due to non-implementation of schemes meant for welfare of farmers at state level."
He also said that the centre is working on a policy to ensure farmers' income double by 2022, while several schemes have already been launched to address the farming risk.
The Minister also said that efforts would be made to dissiminate information related to agri-schemes in regional language too in the coming days.
Singh also said that he will not rely only on social media to interact with farmers and said he is travelling all states to resolve the problems being faced by farmers.