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New Delhi : Union Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar held a Video Conference with the Agriculture Ministers of all States and UTs on April 8, 2020, to discuss the issues related to farmers and farming activities arising due to the lockdown in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic.
Following decisions have been taken by Government of India in follow up of those deliberations and the same was communicated to all States/UTs on April 9. The Government has decided that start date of procurement of pulses and oilseeds under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) may be decided by the respective States. The procurement shall continue for 90 days from the date of commencement of procurement.
The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has circulated to all States/UTs the details of Market Intervention Scheme to ensure remunerative prices for the perishable Agriculture and Horticulture Crops. The States have been advised to implement the scheme wherein 50% (75% in case of North-Eastern States) of the cost will be borne by the Government of India. The Detailed Guidelines were shared with the States in the Circular issued on April 9.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme during the lockdown period starting from March 24, 2020, about 7.92 crore farmer families have benefitted and an amount of Rs 15,841 crore has been released so far. Advisory were issued to State Governments/ UT on April 4, 2020, to facilitate Direct Marketing enabling direct purchase from the farmers/ FPOs/ Cooperatives etc. by Bulk Buyers/Big Retailers/Processors by limiting regulation under State APMC Act. Several States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Jharkhand have already initiated action on lines of issued advisory.
Railways has introduces 109 time-table parcel trains to supply essential commodities including perishable horticulture produce, seeds, milk and dairy products. Approximately, 59 routes (109 trains) for parcel special trains have been notified since the beginning of the lockdown. With this, almost all the important cities of India will get connected for transportation of essential and perishable goods at a fast speed. These services are expected to be further scaled up. Logistics module had been added in the e-NAM App earlier. This module is being used by farmers / traders and already more than 200 people have started using it.