Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized in the Lok Sabha the government’s commitment, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, to enhancing farmers’ income and security. Measures include encouraging the cultivation of profitable alternative crops to replace harmful ones like tobacco, ensuring significant procurement at minimum support price (MSP), introducing reforms in crop insurance, and implementing strict monitoring. The government has urged farmers to shift from tobacco to alternative crops like hybrid maize, chilli, sweet potato, and others in tobacco-growing regions.
To safeguard farmers with small landholdings from risks associated with single-crop dependence, the government has promoted integrated farming models. These models encompass a mix of activities such as cereal cultivation, animal husbandry, fisheries, and agro-forestry, aiming to provide farmers with stable and increased income throughout the year. Additionally, the MSP for major crops like wheat, paddy, pulses, and oilseeds has been raised, with ongoing historic procurement at MSP.
Chouhan highlighted the government’s efforts to support pulse-growing farmers by facilitating the sale of pulses like tur, masoor, and urad. Farmers can now sell any quantity after registration, with the government committed to procuring the entire amount. Amendments in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana have expedited compensation processes for farmers facing crop losses, ensuring timely payments even for individual farmers affected. Furthermore, stringent actions are being taken against irregularities in crop insurance and other schemes, aligning with PM Modi’s anti-corruption stance.
In a bid to streamline benefits, thousands of crores of rupees under crop insurance have been directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts in states like Rajasthan through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The government remains vigilant in addressing complaints received through digital platforms, ensuring transparency and accountability in agricultural schemes.
