Govt may set up more agri-business management institutes

Government will consider setting up more agri-business management institutes, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
On Facebook, Singh said, "Recently, the government of India has organised 'Kisan Goshti' at KVKs (Krishi Vighan Kendras) throughout the country, including Karnataka, and is making all possible efforts to take knowledge and benefit of PMFBY to all farmers."
The minister was responding to a query from a user from Haveri district in Karnataka on "lack of information" about the Prime Minister Crop Insurance scheme, who asked for a district or taluk-wise contact person to educate farmers.
Singh guided him to the website www.Agri-insurance.Gov.In for more details about the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), including the contact number of the insurance agent and banks.

On a suggestion to start more agri-business management institutes and a separate farmer business institute, the minister said, "Thanks for the suggestion. We will consider these while widening the scope of the existing Institute (MANAGE, Hyderabad)."
PMFBY, launched this year, replaces the existing two schemes -- the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme and Modified NAIS, which have had some inherent drawbacks.

Under PMFBY, farmers' premium has been kept lower between 1.5-2 per cent for foodgrains and oil seed crops and up to 5 per cent for horticultural and cotton crops. There will not be a cap on the premium.
In an hour-long interaction, the minister responded to more than two dozens questions on subjects ranging from animal husbandry to raising farm income and organic farming.

The minister also assured an Odisha-based entrepreneur that he would take up the matter related to registration of a new dairy project with the state government.
On another project related to production of bacterial products for organic farming, the minister asked the entrepreneur concerned to submit details to his ministry.