- By Aditya Pratap Singh
- Tue, 27 Aug 2024 03:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In the 'Jagran Agri Panchayat Summit and Award' program organized by Jagran New Media at The Ashoka Hotel in Delhi on Tuesday, former Secretary of the Indian Agriculture Ministry Siraj Hussain expressed concern over the income of farmers, citing the Situation Assessment Survey. However, at the same time, he also praised three schemes of the Central Government - the Crop Insurance Scheme, the Prime Minister Irrigation Scheme, and the Prize Sustainable Fund Scheme.
Talking about the government's schemes for farmers, former Secretary Siraj Hussain said that first of all, he talked about the Kisan Insurance Scheme. He said that very little premium has to be paid in this, which is benefiting the farmers to a great extent. The government has also implemented this scheme to a great extent.
Discussing the policy, initiatives, and schemes for farmers, he said that the Prime Minister Irrigation Scheme has proved to be very effective in drought-affected areas. In Madhya Pradesh, water has reached the fields of farmers through this scheme. He said that out of 99 projects started by the government for farmers, 55 to 56 projects have been completed. The remaining projects are in different states.
Price Sustainable Fund Scheme through which a buffer stock of vegetables, pulses, and grains has been created. Hussain termed these three schemes as success stories.
Former Secretary of the Indian Agriculture Ministry Siraj Hussain also asked a question to Agriculture Minister Shivraj from the stage itself - Shivraj Singh implemented the Prime Minister Irrigation Scheme in Madhya Pradesh as Chief Minister and farmers got full benefit. Now as the Union Agriculture Minister, how will he benefit the farmers across the country?
Do the National Food Security Act beneficiaries get complete nutrition?
Under the National Food Security Act, the Central Government provides only wheat and rice. This is not enough from the point of nutrition. Therefore, some state governments provide pulses, soybeans,s and other things at their level.
During elections, if the promise of buying paddy at a higher price is made, then the farmers give priority to growing paddy because no bonus is promised for the production of pulses and oilseeds.
Question: If we grow crops that have higher prices, then the prices of the same fall. What should be done so that we do not incur losses?
This can be estimated from the futures market, but the government believes that brokerage increases due to this. If some crops are left out, then there is no solution to this till now. If sugarcane is left out for farmers, then no mill or market is bound to give a fixed price to anyone.
Will the government give any subsidy for cow dung plants?
According to NDDB, there is a Govardhan scheme, through which farmers can take advantage. NRAA also has such a scheme. NDDB is working on an initiative with German technology. With all these schemes, the farmers of the village will not have to come to the city for CNG vehicles, they will be able to fulfill their needs in the village itself.
Let us tell you that 'Jagran Agri Panchayat Summit and Award' was started by Jagran New Media's Editor in Chief and Executive President Rajesh Upadhyay and CEO Gaurav Arora by lighting the lamp along with the guests - former Secretary of Agriculture Ministry Siraj Hussain, NDDB Chairman Dr. Meenesh Shah and IFPRI Research Coordinator Mamta Pradhan. After this, Rajesh Upadhyay informed the people present there about the objective of the program.