Increasing farmer’s income, reduce farming cost and connecting farmers to market is the aim of the government, PM Narendra Modi emphasized. He called on the corporate world, technology sector, financial world and start up world to collaborate with the government and take Budget Initiatives to farmers before they start the new agriculture year this year.
Talking about PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has become a strong support system for small farmers in the country. He was speaking during a webinar on Budget initiative for Smart Agriculture. “Today this scheme has become big support for small farmers. Under this, about Rs two lakh crore has been given to 11 crore farmers so far,” he said.
Under the scheme a financial benefit of Rs 6000 per year is provided to the eligible farmers in three equal installations of Rs 2000 each.
The government’s efforts to promote organic products has helped taking the market size of organic products to Rs 11,000 crore. In six years the number of organic products from 2000 crore to 7000+ crore.
“The years’ Budget is continuing efforts of previous years’,” he said.
Awareness about health and environmental is increasing and so is the market for such products. With the help of organic and natural farming can help in capturing this market. “Vocal for local is important in this area also,” he said.
Drones tech will become available on when we promote agri start-ups, there. More than 700 have been set up. The government wants to increase the scope of processed food. This will help in developing value chain. That is why a Rs 1 lakh crore of agri infra fund has been set up.
He called on the private sector, start-ups and financial sector to guide farmers in getting soil testing done, management and packaging of agri waste, post harvest waste management, packaging, connecting farmers to markets, storage, etc.
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