Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : In line with the continued commitment and resolve to empower grassroot level farmers, PM Narendra Modi released 10th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on January 1, 2022, via video conferencing. This enabled the transfer of an amount of more than Rs 20,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families. During the programme, Modi also released equity grant of more than Rs 14 crore to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will benefit more than 1.24 lakh farmers.
He interacted with FPOs during the event. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Chief Ministers, LGs, Agriculture Ministers and farmers from several states were linked to the event.
Interacting with a FPO from Uttarakhand,Modi inquired about the choice of organic farming by them and the ways of certification of the organic products. He also talked about the marketing of the organic products of the FPO. The FPO also told the Prime Minister how they arrange for organic fertilisers. The PM said that it has been the efforts of the government that natural and organic farming is widely promoted as it reduces the reliance on chemical fertiliser and improves the income of the farmers, according to a PIB release.
The FPO from Punjab informed the PM about the ways of disposing off the parali without burning. They also talked about the superseeder and help from government agencies. Modi wished that their experience of Parali management should be emulated everywhere.
FPO from Rajasthan talked about the honey production. They said that concept of FPO has been very useful for them with the help of NAFED.
FPO from Uttar Pradesh thanked the PM for creating FPOs as foundation of the prosperity of the farmers. They talked about their process of helping the members with seeds, organic fertilisers, and variety of horticulture products.They are getting benefits of e-Nam facilities. The PM said that the confidence of the country’s farmer is the key strength of the country.
FPO from Tamil Nadu informed that with NABARD support, they formed FPO to get better prices and the FPO is fully owned and operated completely by women. They informed the PM that Sorghum is being produced due to the weather conditions of the area.
FPO from Gujarat talked about natural farming and how cow-based agriculture can reduce the expense and stress on soil. Tribal communities of the region are also benefitting from the concept.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi said that today when we are entering the new year, we need to embark on a new journey taking inspiration from the achievements of the past years. He recalled the nation’s effort in fighting the pandemic, vaccination, and making arrangement for the vulnerable sections during the difficult period. Country is spending Rs 2 lakh 60 thousand crore on making ration available to the vulnerable sections.
Modir said, “This year we will complete 75 years of our independence.This is the time to start a new vibrant journey of the country’s resolves, to move forward with renewed vigour.” Elaborating on the power of collective effort, he pointed out “when 130 crore Indians take one step, it is not merely one step but it amounts to 130 crore steps.”
Speaking about economy, the PM said that on many parameter, Indian economy is looking better than pre-covid days. He said, “today the growth rate of our economy is more than 8%. Record foreign investment has come to India. Our forex reserves have reached record levels. Old records have also been surpassed in GST collection. We have also set new records in the matter of exports, especially in agriculture.” He said that in 2021 transection of more than Rs 70 lakh crore was done on UPI. More than 50,000 start-ups are working in India out of these 10,000 came up during last six months.
Year 2021, the Prime Minister said, was also the year of strengthening India’s cultural heritage. Initiatives like beautification and development of Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Kedarnath Dham, Renovation of Samadhi of Aadi Shankaracharya, restoration of stolen idol of goddess Annapoorna, construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and getting World Heritage status for Dholavira and Durga Puja festival are strengthening India’s heritage and enhancing its tourism and pilgrimage potential.
Leading the world against climate change, India has also set a target of Net Zero Carbon Emission in front of the world by 2070. Many records of renewable energy, the Prime Minister said, are being met by India before time. Today India is working on hydrogen mission, taking lead in electric vehicles, he said.
The Prime Minister said “Devoting to the nation with the spirit of ‘Nation First’, is becoming the sentiment of every Indian today. And that is why, today there is unity in our efforts and in our resolutions.
The Prime Minister said that through FPO’s small farmers are feeling the power of collective strength. He pointed out five benefits of FPOs for small farmers. These benefits are increased bargaining power, scale, innovation, risk management, and adaptability to the market conditions. Keeping in mind the benefits of FPO’s the government is promoting them at every level. These FPOs are getting help of up to Rs 15 lakh, he added. rupees. As a result, FPOs like Organic FPOs, Oil Seed FPOs, Bamboo clusters and Honey FPOs are coming up all over the country.
Modi talked about the milestones that were achieved in the agriculture sector in the recent years. Foodgrains production touched 300 million tonnes, similarly Horticulture and floriculture production reached 330 million tonnes. Milk production also increased almost 45 per cent in last 6-7 years. About 60 lakh hectare land was brought under micro irrigation; more than Rs 1 lakh crore were given in compensation under Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojna, whereas premium received was just Rs 21,000 crore. Ethanol production increased from 40 crore litres to 340 crore litres in just seven years. The Prime Minister also informed about the Goberdhan Scheme to promote bio-gas. If there will be value in cow dung, he said, the non miltching animals will not be burden on farmers.
Addressing the gathering, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing a sufficient budget for the successful implementation of the PM-KISAN scheme. He said that no one had demanded a scheme like Samman Nidhi but the PM thought that a scheme like PM-KISAN is necessary to achieve the target of doubling the farmers’ income.