The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, talks to Team Viva about the government’s strategy to double farmers’ income
Irrigation and production cost play an essential role in increasing the income of the farmers. What are the steps that the government is taking in this regardIJ
It’s important to improve irrigation efficiency to increase production. Therefore, our government has increased the irrigation budget. Per Drop More Crop is our motto. Even the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana has been launched to mitigate the drought effect and to ensure ‘water to every farm’. Pending medium and large projects have been expedited. We have also put projects like watershed development and harvesting along with management projects on the fast track.
For the first time, our government has introduced Soil Health Card scheme to inform farmers about nutrient status of the soil. This is reducing the cultivation cost as farmers are following the recommendations and opting for a balanced use of fertilisers. In addition, the Government has curbed illegal use of urea and ensured adequate supply through Neem Coated Urea scheme.
The government is also encouraging organic farming. The adoption of new technologies in agriculture such as space technology is helping in better planning through forecasting crop production, agricultural land-use mapping, drought prediction, and utilisation of paddy fields for Rabi crops. Apart from this, farmers are getting timely information and advisory services through online and telecom mediums such as Kisan call centre and Kisan Suvidha app.
What are the measures the government is taking to reduce post-harvest losses and for value-additionIJ
One of the biggest problems faced by the farmers is storage after harvesting as a result they are forced to sell their products at a lower cost. Therefore, the government is encouraging farmers to use warehouses and providing loans against negotiable warehouse receipts with interest subvention benefits. Meanwhile, the government is focusing on storage facilities and integrated cold chains in rural areas.
The government is also promoting quality through food processing. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana has been started and Rs 6, 000 crore has been allocated for this project. Under this scheme, food-processing capabilities will be developed by working on the forward and backward linkage of agro processing cluster, which will benefit 20 lakh farmers and create employment opportunities for about 5,00,000.
How are you ensuring that farmers get a better price for their produceIJ
The Central government is emphasising on the need for reforms in agriculture marketing. E- NAM was launched with three reforms and so far, 455 mandis have been linked to this platform. Online trading has begun on various mandis. In addition, the government has launched Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act, which includes private market yards and direct marketing, along with working on a Model Act to promote contract farming.
Natural disasters affect farmers' income. What steps are the government taking to secure farmersIJ
The government has initiated Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to reduce the possible risks. The scheme creates a security shield. The lowest rate has been fixed for Kharif and Rabi crops. Maximum rate is 2 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively. The scheme covers standing crops as well as pre-sowing to post-harvesting losses and 25 per cent of the claim is settled immediately online. Smartphones, satellites and drones facilities are being provided to carry out faster assessments of crop loss under PMFBY.
From this Kharif season, the farmers can avail customer service centre and online banking facilities to deposit their premium. The government has revised the norms for assistance from SDRF and NDRF. Now, the government is providing compensation if at least 33 per cent of the crop is damaged and the compensation amount has been increased to 1.5 times.
What are the other ways to increase farmers’ incomeIJ
We have to emphasise on the allied activities of agriculture as well. After Modi government came to the power, the work has been expedited. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme is playing an important role in doubling the income of farmers. For this, we are providing better planting materials, improved seed and protected cultivation, high-density plantation, rejuvenation, and precision farming.
Our government is also focusing on Integrated Farming System (IFS). In addition to agriculture, the focus is also on horticulture, livestock, and bee keeping. This scheme will not only increase farmers’ income, it will also mitigate the effect of drought, flood, and other natural disasters.
Indigenous breeds of cows are being conserved under Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The genetic makeup is improving and increasing the production of milk. The government is set to establish dairy processing and infrastructure development fund. In addition, Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme is generating self-employment opportunities. White Revolution has been accelerated.
A new initiative called Blue Revolution: Integrated development and management of fisheries has been initiated and it includes activities such as inland fisheries, aquaculture, mariculture undertaken by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). Apart from this, Deep Sea Fishing scheme has also been initiated.
For the first time, Sub-Mission on agroforestry has been initiated with an aim to promote inter-cropping. Under this scheme, ‘Med Per Ped’ campaign has also been included. A large number of people are being trained for bee keeping. The bee keepers and honey societies/companies/firms are being registered. And the Integrated Bee Keeping Development Centres (IBDC) are being established in the states. Under Rural Backyard Poultry Development component, supplementary income and nutritional support are provided to poultry farmers. Awareness Programmes sensitising sheep, goat, pig and duck farmers about opportunities to enhance income through Rural Backyard Poultry Development mission is being carried out.