Centre to announce new farm insurance scheme in 6 months

The Centre would announce a new agriculture insurance scheme in about six months after taking inputs from state governments and farmers organisations, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
"Farmers are not getting proper benefit from the present 'Krishi Bima Yojana' (agriculture insurance scheme). We have sent letters to all Chief Ministers, seeking their advice so that farmers get maximum benefit from the scheme.
"We will hold a meeting of Agriculture Ministers. We will take inputs from Chief Ministers, State Agriculture Ministers and farmer outfits and announce a new 'Krishi Bima Yojana' in about six months for the benefit of farmers," he said, addressing a meeting at the BJP office here.

Talking to reporters later, Singh said recommendations made by a commission on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various farm produce are being currently considered by the Finance Ministry.
"There is a commission which made recommendations. It has gone to Finance Ministry. An opinion would come from there. It goes to different Ministries. Then it will go to Cabinet. Once Cabinet approves it, you will be given details," he said in response to a query.
On the government's decision to hike import duty on sugar, the Minister said the current price of the sweetener is low.
Speaking in the meeting earlier, Singh said one of the major priorities of the NDA Government is to provide soil health cards to every farmer so that they are aware of nutrient contents in soil and use fertilisers accordingly.

Under the 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchayi Yojana', the government would strive to provide water to every farm land, Singh added. "It is the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide water to every farm.