Centre raps states for slow implementation of agri-schemes

The Centre today pulled up state governments for tardy implementation of three major agri-schemes -- crop insurance, e-agri market and soil health card.
With sowing of rabi (winter) crops like wheat to begin next month, the states have been asked to prepare for the implementation of the new crop insurance scheme.
Addressing state officials at a two-day national conference here, Agriculture Secretary Shobhana K Pattanayak raised concerns relating to implementation of three schemes -- soil health card, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM).
In case of PMFBY, he said, "With great difficulty we have launched this scheme. This scheme will be a game-changer, provided it is executed by the state governments."

Three crore farmers are expected to register under PMFBY in the Kharif season of this year, he said, and added that a lot more needs to be done.
PMFBY was launched in January.

"Kharif is over, but rabi is coming. Are the states geared up for implementing the scheme? By end of September, you should start the process, otherwise farmers will lose confidence," he said.
Pattanayak asked the state govenrments to provide accurate picture of the number of farmers covered under the scheme, avoid discrepancies in area, conduct timely crop cutting experiments using Adroid app, and update details on the national crop insurance portal.

"You should ensure timely crop cutting experiments with the help of Android app. You must ensure Android phones are procured and distributed to agri-officers. Fifty per cent of the funding is given by us and you must take action," he said.
On soil health card scheme, the Secretary blamed "lack of interest and lethargic attitude of officers" for slow roll out of the programme.
The government is targeting to provide soil health card to 14 crore farmers by March 2017. "One and half years is over and another six months is left. Till now, out of 453 lakh samples collected, we have tested only 400 lakh samples. another 50 lakh samples are yet to be collected," he said.

"Similarly, testing is also not up to the mark. The Government of India has given money for soil testing labs. ...Money has not been a constraint. We have hiked the price for making soil health card from Rs 120 to Rs 300. I do not see any reason why you cannot achieve the target," he said.
Pattanayak also said that apart from testing soil, the states must ensure printing of cards which are inexpensive.
"I do not see any reason why this scheme has not picked up," he asked the state officials.
He appealed to states such as Assam, Arunchal Pradesh, Manipur, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka and Punjab, among others, to take proctive steps.

As far as Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is concerned, the Secretary said, "With exception of few states, others are not showing interest."
ENAM was launched in April 2016 on a pilot basis in 21 mandis in eight states. Today, 94 mandis have joined this platform and the government aims to connect a total of 200 mandis by the end of this month, he said.