The Gujarat government, under Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Jitu Vaghani, has disbursed more than Rs 8,516 crore in financial aid to 29.30 lakh farmers affected by unseasonal rains. This assistance was part of two significant agriculture relief packages announced for districts impacted by heavy rainfall. Additionally, online bills totaling Rs 8,710 crore have been generated for over 30 lakh farmers, with the majority already receiving aid directly in their bank accounts.
Providing further details, the minister highlighted the procurement of groundnut, green gram, black gram, and soybean at Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state has procured crops worth over Rs 10,698 crore from 6.79 lakh farmers, with payments exceeding Rs 6,573 crore already disbursed to more than 4.16 lakh farmers. Notably, groundnut procurement alone amounts to over 14.18 lakh metric tonnes valued at more than Rs 10,300 crore, benefiting over 6.26 lakh farmers.
Emphasizing the state’s commitment to supporting farmers, the minister assured timely relief and fair prices. Efforts are underway to accelerate payments and ensure smooth procurement operations. Agriculture plays a crucial role in Gujarat’s economy, with farmers cultivating a diverse range of crops and benefiting from various irrigation projects and market reforms. Despite challenges like climate variability and price fluctuations, agriculture remains a key focus area in the state’s policy agenda.
