Arpit Jajoo
The Maharashtra State Government is planning to launch a new scheme for the farmers of the state which is targeted at increasing the income of the farmers. This new scheme is named as “Advanced Farming-Enriched Farmers Scheme”. The end target of the scheme is to double the income of the farmers in the state which will be achieved by increasing the output of the crops and cutting down the cost of production. The scheme is planned to be launched in the season of the Kharif crops.
The farmers of the state also want the government to waive off the loans that they have taken but instead of that, the government is planning to double their income with this scheme so that they could easily pay off their loans. The announcement of the scheme was announced in the State Financial Budget 2017-18.
According to a government resolution published last week, each tehsil, under the scheme, will be given a production target for crops. The target would be planned to keep in mind that farmers, after selling their produce, receive more money than the loan they have obtained. For farmers who are already receiving more money than the loan obtained, the target is 20% more than their present production.
Advanced Farming – Enriched Farmers:
Under the Advanced Farming – Enriched Farmers scheme, the state government would declare each tehsil of the state as a unit which will be used for planning on agri-development. Following are the main tasks which will be performed under the scheme.
- Increasing the production of major crops in the state
- Diversification of the crops
- Making farmer’s aware of the marketing techniques
- Generating a unit among farmers through farm producer companies
- Making farmer’s financial stable
Mechanisation of farming on tractors, machines for polishing, grading and packing of produces, power tillers and transplanters would get 60% more funds which will be transferred directly to the bank account of the farmer linked with Aadhaar.
The state government would also run a campaign named as “Farmer Outreach Campaign” under the scheme between 25 May and 8 June 2017. In the campaign, the farmers would be informed about the latest techniques which can be used during the Kharif season to increase productivity and efficiency.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that while his government wants to waive off the loan, a decision effecting the same will be taken only at “the right time” and not based on the Opposition’s demands. He has also said the State government would invest more in agriculture rather than announcing a loan waiver. State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, in his Budget speech last month, had also said that the government aims to double farmers’ income by 2022.
Reference and Details:
- For more information visit: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/
