Special focus on organic farming, various schemes strengthening agriculture
Monday, September 30, 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The State government is undertaking various efforts to boost organic farming in the State. According to official sources, organic farming is being encouraged in 3,900 clusters across the State. The Agriculture department is undertaking various welfare schemes for farmers in addition to ensuring that the benefit of various Central government schemes also reaches the farmers in the State. Along with facilitating certified seed distribution, availability of farming equipment, irrigation facility, fertiliser, pest control and crop insurance and government is also ensuring the farmers receive the benefit of Central government schemes like the Pradhanmantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. The government is also operating the soil health card scheme to enable farmers to test nutrient content of their soil and boost production. The Government of India has made a provision of Rs 508.89 lakh under this scheme in this financial year.
Similarly, organic farming is being encouraged on a cluster basis in selected villages under the traditional farming development scheme. This scheme is currently being operated in 3,900 clusters with the Central government allocating Rs 13,127 crore for this scheme under the current financial year. Officials informed that 8.88 lakh registered farmers are receiving Rs 6,000 annually directly in their accounts through DBT under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. A sum of Rs 178.04 crore has been made available in the financial year 2024.25 for this purpose. A total of Rs 2,757 crore has been distributed in the State so far under this scheme. In another development, paddy and mandua will be covered under the Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana from April 1 in all the districts.
The State government is also laying special focus on villages dominated by SC-ST populations. A special agriculture development programme is being run for farmers of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes with small tillage. An allocation of Rs 700 lakh has been made for the selected villages under this scheme in the current financial year, officials informed.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the government is taking concrete steps to further strengthen the agriculture sector. “Our priority is to ensure that modern technology and innovations reach the farmers so that farming can become more profitable and sustainable. Considering the geographical characteristics of Uttarakhand, we are laying special focus on encouraging organic farming, fruit cultivation and the cultivation of medicinal herbs,” Dhami said.
