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Centre launches PM-KISAN scheme for assured income support to farmers
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Thursday, 21 February, 2019, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The government has recently announced a new scheme, PM-KISAN, for assured income support to the farmers. This was stated by Radha Mohan Singh, minister for agriculture and farmers’ welfare, at the inaugural address of the Agricultural Science Congress, whose 14th essay is underway in New Delhi. The four-day Congress, which commenced on Wednesday, will conclude on February 23, 2019.
The scheme is being implemented with effect from December 2018. A direct income support of Rs 6,000 per annum to the farmers will be provided. About 12 crore farming families will be directly benefitted from this scheme.
“The churning of science, technology and knowledge outcomes during will be of immense value to the welfare of farmers as well as humanity,” he said, adding that the Congress was nothing short of an agri research Kumbh, and marked the confluence of researchers, intellectuals, creativity and the custodians of global food security.
Singh appreciated the role of ICAR in launching a mega project called NICRA to address the issues of climate change through the KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras), and stated that the Soil Health Card Scheme had been launched to improve crop productivity through judicious use of inputs without deteriorating soil health further.
He added that the IARI had developed the Pusa Soil Testing and Fertiliser Recommendation Metre to facilitate the reach of soil testing at the farmers’ doorstep. In the last four-and-a-half years, 1,014 varieties of crops were developed. Among these, over 800 varieties were tolerant/resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
The minister expressed his pride in IARI’s celebration of 50 years of remote sensing in India. The first national initiative on application of remote sensing technology was attempted way back in 1969 by IARI, along with ISRO and NASA, for the early diagnosis of root (wilt) disease in coconut at Kayamkulam, Kerala.
Singh said that value-addition to agricultural production was one of the solutions for improving farmers’ incomes. The implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management.
“It will not only provide a big boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country, but also help in providing better prices to farmers, and is a big step towards doubling of farmers’ income,” he added.
Singh said that the agri-based start-ups and entrepreneurship development need to be promoted, and added that the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), including Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) was the government’s endeavour to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovations will play a critical role in developing solutions and pathways to address the agrarian challenges.
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