Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: Voicing concern over alleged suicide by farmers in states like Odisha, the Centre has said it has unveiled a host of measures like Prime Minister Crop Insurance and irrigation schemes besides raising disaster assistance mechanism to mitigate the plight of the farmers.
“The Centre is taking a number of steps including Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme which will benefit the farmers immensely and go a long way in checking suicides,” Union Minister of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kundariya told reporters here on Thursday.
It is a matter of concern that incidents of suicide by farmers are taking place, Kundariya said, adding that the new crop insurance scheme would ensure speedy settlement in case of crop loss by increasing the use of technology for quick assessment of damage.
On suicide by farmers in drought-hit Odisha allegedly due to crop failure and debt burden, he said the Centre is yet to get a final report from the state in this regard.
Premium to be paid by farmers has also been kept low at two per cent for kharif crops and 1.5 per cent for rabi crops, the Union Minister said. “The new insurance scheme will ensure that farmers pay less premium and get early claims for the full sum insured,” he said.
To be implemented from kharif season this year, it would replace the existing schemes which have some drawbacks, Kundariya said, adding 25 per cent crop loss would be compensated immediately into the bank account of the farmer.
Stating that central assistance to states in case of natural calamities has gone up during NDA government, the minister said Odisha had sought around Rs 2,200 crore for drought assistance and Rs 815 was sanctioned without delay.
During UPA regime, the state used to get barely five per cent of the amount sought, while now it has got around 35 per cent, Kundariya said.
Similarly, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana (PMKSY) would bringing smile on the face of the farmer as areas under irrigation would be substantially raised, he said.
Noting that greater attention was now being accorded to organic farming in the country, Kundariya said farmers should opt for this method in order to maintain soil health, protect water resources and improve their own economic condition.
In view of growing demand for certified organic produce in global markets, it is necessary to create awareness about export potential of organic products among the farmers, the minister said.
