With farmers’ outfits announcing to protest against agriculture related ordinances brought by the Centre, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Sunday said that the farmers will be benefitted by the two ordinances and they should not be misled by some leaders.
“With the two new ordinances namely the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 brought by the Centre, the farmers can sell produce not only in their state but in the mandis of other states also. Under the contract farming, a farmer can enter into an e- agreement with any person or bank for his farm produce. Besides, he will not be required to mortgage his land with the bank for the crop loan,” said the Chief Minister while talking to the mediapersons here.
Notably, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Haryana unit and other farmers’ groups have announced to hold a state-level tractor rally on July 20 to protest three agriculture-related ordinances of the Union Government. Haryana Arhtiyas Association has also extended its support to the farmers’ protest.
The Chief Minister appealed to the farmers to remain vigilant from those people who may try to mislead them on these ordinances.He said that some leaders had been misleading the farmers on “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana”, but now the farmers have understood and are coming forward to insure their crop. He said that the State Government has decided to hire 17,000 Kisan Mitras, who will voluntarily advise the farmers on effective utilization of land and assist in better financial management.
Schemes are being formulated to ensure that farmers sell their produce as traders be it through FPOs or under their own brand, the Chief Minister said. Manohar Lal also announced that 2000 ‘ Retail Outlets’ would soon be opened in villages and cities through the Cooperation Department, in which the youth of the village and town will work according to their abilities and skills. These outlets will function as mini super markets. Apart from this, potable mineral water under the brand name ‘Haryana Fresh’ is also being launched through the Public Health Engineering Department, he added.
Highlights initiatives chalked out for the welfare of farmers, he further said that soil health cards will be issued every three years for 70 lakh acres of area in the state so that the farmers are aware of the fertility of their land and can sow the crops accordingly.
In the last few days, connections have been issued for 13,000 to 14,000 agriculture pump sets in the state. Similarly, the Pashu Credit Card scheme has been implemented on the pattern of Kisan Credit Card and 1,40,000 cattle rearers have so far filled forms under the scheme, he added.