Emphasizing the vision of a strong and prosperous farmer as the cornerstone of a self-reliant India, Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi today released the 19th installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, benefiting farmers across the country, during an event held in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
As part of this initiative, approximately Rs 360 crore was credited to the bank accounts of 16.38 lakh farmers in Haryana.To mark this occasion, a state-level Kisan Samman Samaroh was organized in Jhajjar district, where Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini participated as the chief guest.
Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini urged farmers to adopt innovative techniques and modern practices to commercialize agriculture. He said that farmers should take charge of marketing their products to enhance profitability.
He also encouraged farmers to transition towards organic and natural farming, ensuring the optimal use of resources for a more prosperous agricultural future. He also urged them to strengthen financial position by taking maximum benefits of government schemes.
Chief Minister said that Rs 17.41 crore had been deposited into the accounts of 77,000 farmers from Jhajjar district today. Earlier, Rs 6,203 crore has been disbursed in 18 installments to approximately 20 lakh farmers across Haryana.
Central Government has launched several schemes to make agriculture profitable and for the economic upliftment of farmers
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, recognizing the economic challenges faced by small and marginal farmers, launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme on February 24, 2019. Under this scheme, small and marginal farmers receive financial assistance of Rs 6,000 annually, distributed in three equal installments.
To further enhance the profitability of agriculture and uplift farmers economically, the central government has introduced several other key initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Card Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana, Pashudhan Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card Yojana and Traditional Agriculture Development Scheme.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has mentioned four key pillars—farmers, poor, women, and youth—to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047. The Prime Minister firmly believes that the nation's prosperity is incomplete without the prosperity of farmers.
To realize this vision, the Haryana government is continuously working towards improving the financial conditions of farmers and making agriculture more profitable. The state government is also effectively implementing various central government schemes, which reflect the commitment of the "double engine government."
He further said that before 2014, the country's agriculture budget was Rs 24,000 crore, which has now increased to Rs 1,26,000 crore under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi. Over the past decade, a range of schemes have been launched to connect farmers with new technologies, provide better facilities, increase production, and ensure fair prices for their produce.
One such initiative, the Namo Drone Didi Yojana, allows for easy spraying of fertilizers in the fields, significantly benefiting farmers by streamlining these essential tasks.
Haryana government promoting natural farming
Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana government is actively promoting organic farming to ensure sustainable agricultural practices. As part of this initiative, approximately 24,000 farmers have registered on the 'Natural Farming Portal'. Of these, around 10,000 farmers are practicing natural farming on 15,170 acres of land.
To further support this transition, training centers have been established in Gurukul Kurukshetra, Gharaunda (Karnal), Hameti (Jind), and Mangiana (Sirsa), where progressive farmers are being educated about the benefits and techniques of natural farming.
Haryana is the first state to procure all crops at MSP
The Chief Minister said that Haryana has become the first state in the country to buy 24 different crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). In the last nine seasons, the government has deposited a remarkable Rs 1,25,000 crore into the accounts of 12 lakh farmers for the purchase of crops at MSP through the e-procurement portal, directly benefiting the farming community.
To address the challenges faced by farmers due to a delayed monsoon last year, which increased the cost of sowing Kharif crops, the government has provided a bonus of Rs 1,345 crore. This bonus, given at the rate of Rs 2,000 per acre for all Kharif crops, has been a significant relief for farmers, helping to offset the additional expenses incurred.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the government has successfully restored trust between tenant farmers and landowners. Previously, there were frequent disputes over land possession and compensation. However, the implementation of the Agricultural Land Lease Act has eradicated these disputes.
In addition, the government has granted ownership rights to tenant farmers who have been occupying Shamlat land for over 20 years, providing them with legal recognition and stability.He said that the government has made a compensation policy for high tension electricity lines passing through the fields.
The policy ensures compensation at 200% of the market rate for land located in the tower area and 30% of the market rate for land under the electricity lines, ensuring fair compensation for affected farmers. For water conservation, the Haryana government is providing financial assistance to farmers at the rate of Rs 7000 per acre for growing alternative crops instead of paddy under the 'Mera Pani-Meri Virasat' scheme.
Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 148 crore was deposited in the accounts of 1.29 lakh farmers.
Haryana government continuously working for the welfare of farmers under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini – Om Prakash Dhankhar
Former Agriculture Minister Sh Om Prakash Dhankhar praised the continuous efforts of the Haryana government for the welfare of farmers under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini. He highlighted that Haryana is the first state in the country to purchase all crops from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
He also said that schemes like Bhavantar Bharpai have been implemented to shield farmers from risks and ensure their financial security. He further said that the region around Jhajjar faces waterlogging issues, but this area holds great potential for fish farming.
He suggested that efforts should be made towards establishing a Center of Excellence for Ornamental Fish Farming to tap into this potential and provide farmers with additional avenues for income generation.On this occasion, BJP State President Sh Mohan Lal Badoli, MLA Sh. Rajesh Joon and a large number of farmers were also present.