The Gujarat government, after discussions with farmer organizations, is proposing measures to assist with irrigation, farm equipment regulations, and crop protection. Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani assured farmers of the government’s support and mentioned plans to increase subsidies for sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. Additionally, tractor trolleys may be exempted from Regional Transport Office passing requirements for three to five years to ease farmers’ challenges.
The state government has also formed a committee, including key ministers and officials, to address farmers’ issues and regularly consults with farmer representatives. Notably, decisions like exempting stamp duty for legal heirs in cases involving ancestral property have been made under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s guidance. The government has focused on water management by filling check dams, ponds, and major reservoirs under schemes like ‘Sujalam Sufalam’ and ‘SAUNI’ to meet farmers’ needs.
In response to farmers’ concerns, the government plans to address issues related to power transmission towers on agricultural land and enhance the fertiliser distribution system for better farmer access. Moreover, a fencing scheme has been implemented to protect crops from wild animals, with increased subsidy benefits for small and marginal farmers. The government is also emphasizing the promotion of indigenous seeds and cotton cultivation, alongside enforcing strict compliance with Indian Council of Agricultural Research norms in private agricultural colleges.
The government’s efforts extend to settling villages under the revenue framework and addressing eco-sensitive zones in specific districts through consultations with relevant departments and farmer groups. The aim is to ensure that farmers do not encounter unnecessary challenges and receive adequate support for their agricultural activities.
