UP govt takes steps to help farmers hit by drought, floods:Min

Uttar Pradesh government has initiated several measures to help farmers whose kharif crops were affected by drought and flood, state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said today.
The minister also said that the state government is also looking at helping farmers raise production through bumper Rabi crop.
"Ten thousand solar pumps would be installed in Uttar Pradesh," Shahi said, adding that the share of Mathura would be 40 solar pumps.
While the subsidy admissible for for 2 HP or 3 HP Solar Pumps would be 70 per cent, for 5 HP or above solar pumps, it would be 40 per cent.

He said, the state government has decided to distribute 3.3 lakh mini kits of TORIA, Mustered, Rai or Laha, Gram and Masur amongst flood /drought hit farmers.
Eighty-six thousand farmers of Mathura were badly hit by drought would get these kits as per their requirement, Shahi stated.

The size of these mini kits vary from 2 kg to 16 kg depending upon the type of seed, he said.
For Rabi crop, Shahi said, arrangements to distribute 44 lakh quintals of seed have been made. Around 7.3 lakh quintals would be distributed by government agencies.
Meanwhile committees consisting of two ministers for two Kamishnaries (division) have been made to assess loss owing to drought/flood for every area.

He said, the farmers would get compensation on the basis of report of committees.
According to Shahi, 97,000 units of wormi culture would be set up in the state with provision for grant for every unit. He said that at least one wormi culture unit would be set up in every village.
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to grant subsidy up to 50 per cent for promoting "Khet Talab" scheme for rain water harvesting in dark zone blocks, he said.
To counter the problem of unemployment of BSc (Ag)/ MSc (Ag) pass youth, the state government gives grant under Agri Junction scheme, if they take licence, open their shops, for selling seed and fertiliser, he added.

According to Shahi, youth would also get benefit of Rs 42,000 subsidy in three years, on bank loan of Rs 3.5 lakh.
The state government has tried to provide relief to farmer through 'Rin Mochan Scheme' (loan waiving scheme) and record purchase of wheat.
Shahi said that in the first phase of loan-waiving scheme 11 lakh 95 thousand farmers have been benefited and an amount of over Rs 7,400 crore has been distributed amongst farmers.
The second phase of this scheme has also started, he said adding that "not only record purchase of 37 lakh tonnes of wheat has been made this year but the farmers payment has been ensured by transferring the amount into their accounts within 15 days," he said.