India to Double Farmers’ Income by 2022
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, called upon all stakeholders, including farmers, States and the Union Government to resolve to double farmers’ income by 2022.
Sharing his vision for Indian agriculture, with farmers at the Krishi Unnati Mela in New Delhi on Saturday, the Prime Minister said that while this task may be challenging, there can be no doubt that this is an objective worth aiming for.
Modi described the Krishi Unnati Mela as a platform that could rewrite India’s destiny. He said India’s future had to be built on the growth of agriculture, and the prosperity of its farmers and its villages.
[ How India Abuses Children’s Right to Education ]
He emphasized that the next revolution in Indian agriculture had to be built on technology and modernization; and the eastern part of India had maximum potential to achieve it. The Government is working towards this goal, he added.
Modi explained how the reduction of input costs was the first element towards raising farm incomes. He said that the Soil Health Card scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana are important steps towards reducing input costs.
[ Can Kanhaiya Kumar Achieve Social Democracy for India? ]
The Prime Minister called for raising farm incomes through diversification in farming activities. He said that along with crop growing, farmers could opt for timber plantation along the edges of their fields; and also begin animal husbandry. He said diversification in farming activity will reduce the risk associated with agriculture.
The Prime Minister explained the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and said it had been evolved after wide-ranging consultations. He said that the scheme is characterized by minimum premium, and maximum security.
[ Hindu Rulers Support Shady Hindu Event in India ]
Earlier, Modi visited the exhibition pavilions, and was given an overview of best practices and techniques followed by various institutions and agriculture entrepreneurs; latest agriculture equipment, and milch cattle.
He gave away the Krishi Karman Awards for 2014-15 to States and farmers. He also launched a mobile application for farmers – “Kisan Suvidha.”
This will provide information to farmers on subjects such as weather, market prices, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and agriculture machinery.
Photo courtesy: Press Information Bureau
