Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Union Minister for Agriculture Radhamohan Singh at his office at New Delhi on Thursday. Chouhan informed him about Kisan Sammelan schedule to be held in the month of October and extended invitation to attend the sammelan as a chief guest.
Chouhan informed that around Rs 4,400 crore worth insurance claims of more than 20 lakh farmers have been settled under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance scheme. Under this, 50 per cent amount has been deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers. Remaining 50 per cent amount has to be paid by the central government. He further informed that certificates will be distributed to the farmers in the Kisan Sammelan. Chouhan urged the central minister to encourage farmers by distributing certificates to them in the sammelan.
The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to evaluate damage to the crops based on affected area in place of district under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance scheme. Beside end of mandatory participation of farmers for taking crop insurance under the Unified Package Insurance scheme. Chouhan moreover exhorted that local natural disaster like insect epidemic should be included in the scheme. He further said that Hindi language e-software should be prepared for the farmers. At present English language software is being utilised. Also, standard of e-platform should be determined. Portal based on agriculture should run on the smart phones to enable farmers to apprise themselves about the agriculture related information whenever and wherever they want. Chouhan also urged the union minister to release a sum of Rs 56 crore for soil testing laboratories soon for soil health management.
Chouhan extended gratitude towards the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Central Minister for Agriculture for reduction in rates of fertilisers. Union Minister for Agriculture Radhamohan Singh said that Madhya Pradesh has given a new direction to the agriculture sector of the country. New heights have been achieved and new experiments have been undertaken and other states should imitate such efforts.