Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Gaurishankar Bisen inaugurated a symposium, "Small holding farm mechanization," on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the National Agriculture Science Academy and Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Directorate here on Friday.
Bisen said that this is the age of mechanization. Small holding farm mechanisation is a must to increase production. He said that Madhya Pradesh is on top in the country in production of pulses and oilseeds and contributes 12 per cent to production of coarse cereals.
Bisen said that State Government has implemented custom hiring scheme to provide employment to educated rural youths. Under it, youths upto 40 years of age are provided Rs25 lakh loan to purchase agricultural implements including Rs10 lakh subsidy. The State Government has abolished 13 per cent VAT on agricultural implements.
Besides, 2 per cent other tax will also be reduced. The State Government is also giving top-up subsidy on agricultural implements. Trolleys being manufactured at Khurai and agricultural implements being manufactured in Sagar in the state are of high quality, he added.
Bisen said that Chief Minister Chouhan is committed to make agriculture profitable. The State Government will set up 2 agriculture science centres in every district. Horticulture College will be opened in Chhatarpur. He said that farmers will be motivated for dairying along with agriculture. Along with budget management, offices of agriculture engineering will be opened in every district.
The Agriculture Minister said that Shivraj Singh Chouhan has increased upper limit of loans to unemployed youths to set up industries from Rs25 lakh to Rsone crore. With this, youths in the State can set up fisheries, food processing and dairy units.