To protect the interests of farmers hit by drought, Raipur Collector O P Choudhary has directed officials concerned to ensure free distribution of seeds to farmers for kharif cultivation during ‘lok Suraj Abhiyan’ starting from April 27.
Chairing a meeting on Saturday, the Collector issued specific directives regarding free distribution of seeds’ mini-kit to farmers through public representatives.
Besides, Choudhary also ordered officials to make sure adequate distribution of seeds and fertilizers to farmers.
The compensation amount to be distributed to farmers under National Agriculture Insurance Scheme, will be directly be deposited into their respective bank accounts, said Choudhary, elaborating that certificate pertaining to payment of compensation amount will also be distributed among farmers.
Meanwhile, the Collector has asked officials of Agriculture department to identity farmers belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Class (OBC), Below Poverty line (BPl) category, differently-able and female head of family and encourage them to develop small pond in their respective agriculture land. labourer engaged in development of the pond will be paid Rs 2 lakh and farmers who desire to get a well to be dug in their agriculture land will also be paid through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), informed Choudhary.
During the meeting, Choudhary also directed Rural Agriculture Extension Officers to submit a proposal on behalf of farmers, who want to make vermi compost tank and nadep tank, within a week.