Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that farmers’ insurance scheme will be made more effective so that the farmers get the maximum benefit. A meeting for this will be convened soon. It will be attended by officers of insurance companies, banks, agriculture and other departments.
Chouhan said this while inaugurating Krishi Mahotsav at Shahganj in Sehore district on Monday. Agriculture Minister Gaurishankar Bisen, Revenue Minister and in-charge of the district Rampal Singh and MARKFED Chairman Ramakant Bhargava were also present on the occasion.
Chouhan said that at present, insurance companies take premium from farmers but fail to compensate their losses in times of natural calamities. Now, efforts are being made to formulate a crop insurance scheme under which a minimum fixed compensation would be given.
Efforts would be made to ensure that amount or premium is borne by Central and State Governments in future under the new crop insurance policy. Referring to the steps being taken by the State Government, the Chief Minister said the farmers should grow inter-changing crops. Now, horticulture crops are more profitable.
He advised the farmers to use chemical fertilisers only after soil test.
He said, “On one hand, the farmers have to pay exorbitant prices for chemical fertilisers and on the other hand, the soil’s productivity is severely affected.”
Chouhan informed the soil testing labs are being set up at every development block headquarters. In the next 3 years, every farmer will have soil health card.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly-constructed building of Nagar Parishad office costing `30.16 lakh including CC road and drains costing `1.50 crore. He laid the foundation stones of 8 development works costing `11.88 crore. These included drinking water scheme at the cost of `4.23 crore and works internal roads, drains and beautification costing `4.69 crore at Shahganj.