The Haryana Government will provide benefit of half per cent in premium to those beneficiary villages, blocks and districts which have hundred per cent coverage under the Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojna, Pradhanmantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojna and Pashudhan Bima Yojna and would also declare these areas risk free.
The amount of premium would be refunded so as to benefit them. The decision was taken at a meeting under Chief Minister Manohar lal on Wednesday in view of state’s Golden Jubilee year commencing from November 1
The Chief Minister reviewed various schemes of Departments of Agriculture and Farmer’s welfare and Horticulture.
During the meeting, the State Government decided to set up soil testing laboratories in all 108 mandis in the state, the space for which would be made available by Haryana State Agricultural and Marketing Board (HSAMB). Apart from this, it was decided to promote Perry Agriculture Concept in blocks adjoining Kundli Manesar Palwal Expressway as this would not only meet requirement of Delhi for fruits, flowers, vegetable and dairy products but would also increase the farmers’ income.
It was informed that 4.1 lakh soil samples have been collected in the state out of which 1.46 lakh samples have been tested and 1.02 lakh soil cards have been prepared.
With a view to give boost to mirco irrigation, a target has been fixed to bring 37,850 hectares of area under Ground Pipe line. Apart from this, 28,350 sprinklers, 9830 mini sprinklers and 7870 drip systems would be provided to the farmers during the current financial year.
The Chief Minister was apprised that various services and procedures in the department are being simplified. Online system of seed, pesticide and fertilizer licences have been introduced and practice of obtaining large number of documents not provided in rules have been stopped. Now, no affidavits are taken from applicants. Also, the unnecessary inspections for renewal or licences have also been discontinued. Similarly, online system for poly houses, input subsidy and demonstrations has been introduced beside notifying 13 services under Right to Service Act.
During the meeting, Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar directed the officers to implement drip irrigation system on priority basis in Bhiwani, Rewari, Mahendergarh and Jhajjar districts.
He suggested that in areas of paddy concentration, the farmers should be encouraged to cultivate crops which require comparatively less water so that the excess water could be supplied to water deficient areas of southern Haryana.
He said that farmers should be informed about the Centre of Excellence being opened in all districts.
Dhankar apprised the Chief Minister that 15 pilot projects of micro irrigation are being run in the state for water conservation. These projects would be implemented in a phased manner in all 126 blocks of Haryana.
Two crore acre foot water is available in the State as against the requirement of three crore acre feet, therefore, there is a need to implement more projects of micro irrigation to meet the shortage of one crore acre feet water, said he.
The Agriculture Minister also stressed the need to encourage the cultivation of maize, bajra and Jowar adding that he has also written to Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh regarding fixing the Minimum Support Price of these crops.