Sunday, 11 June 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Bharatiya Janata Party has welcomed the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the minimum support price for Kharif crops, stating that it will benefit the farmers considerably. Addressing the media here on Saturday, the BJP Kisan Morcha State president Jogendra Singh Pundir said that various decisions and steps had been taken in the past nine years by the Central government and in recent years by the State government in the interests of the farmers and the agriculture sector.
The Union cabinet approving an increase in the MSP of Kharif crops is one in a series of decisions taken by the Centre to ensure the welfare of farmers, he said. The MSP for Toor Dal has been increased by Rs 400 per quintal while the MSP of rice, maize and groundnut has also been increased. This decision of the government will benefit the farmers on a large scale and also enable them to get good rates for the new crops. The decision has been taken considering the rising cost of agriculture. The MSP for Moong Dal has been increased the most- by 10 per cent while the MSP of rice has been raised by Rs 143 to Rs 2,183 per quintal.This step has been taken to encourage the farmers to cultivate paddy and increase their income.
Pundir also informed about the various schemes being implemented by the Uttarakhand government for the welfare of the farmers. He said that apple orchards are being grown with 80 per cent grant under the Apple Mission to boost apple production and check migration from the mountainous regions. Work is also being undertaken to increase the cultivation of kiwi fruit. The construction of polyhouses is being facilitated to encourage commercial vegetable production and flower cultivation. Farmers are being encouraged to undertake collective farming in clusters.
Further, anti-hail net is being provided to orchard owners at 80 per cent subsidy to prevent damage from hail to enable the farmers to protect their crop from hail. The farmers are also being encouraged to insure their crops. Pundir also spoke about other decisions and schemes of the State government for the welfare of farmers in Uttarakhand.
