Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched several initiatives aimed at the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors, totaling approximately Rs 23,300 crore, in Washim, Maharashtra today. The initiatives include the distribution of the 18th installment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi, the launch of the 5th installment of the NaMo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, the dedication of over 7,500 projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), support for 9,200 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), the establishment of five solar parks in Maharashtra with a combined capacity of 19 MW, and the introduction of a Unified Genomic Chip for cattle alongside indigenous sex-sorted semen technology.
Emphasizing the 18th installment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi, which amounts to around Rs 20,000 crore for approximately 9.5 crore farmers, Modi stated that the state government is committed to providing dual benefits to its farmers. He also discussed the NaMo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, through which around 90 lakh farmers in Maharashtra have received financial assistance of about Rs 1,900 crore. Additionally, he highlighted the dedication of multiple projects associated with Farmer Producer Organizations worth hundreds of crores.
The Prime Minister detailed significant measures taken to support Indian farmers, noting the establishment of 9,200 FPOs and numerous key agricultural infrastructure projects designed to enhance storage, processing, and management of agricultural products, ultimately aiming to increase farmers’ income. “In Maharashtra, farmers are receiving double benefits under the current government,” Modi remarked, praising the zero electricity bill policy implemented by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s administration.
Modi expressed sympathy for the farmers of Maharashtra and Vidarbha, who have endured significant hardships for many years. He criticized previous governments for contributing to their struggles, stating that the grand coalition government prioritized obstructing farmer-related projects and engaging in corruption. He claimed that funds sent from the Center were being misappropriated. Comparing the current Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, which provides additional financial support alongside the Kisan Samman Nidhi, with the previous BJP government in Karnataka, Modi noted that this support had ceased under the new government. He also mentioned that farmers in Telangana are currently questioning their state government regarding its election promises on loan waivers.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that Prime Minister Modi has transferred Rs 20,400 crore through the Kisan Samman Nidhi to farmers’ accounts. He described Modi as farmer-friendly, asserting that decisions continuously favoring farmers are made in every cabinet meeting. Chouhan mentioned not only the Kisan Samman Nidhi but also the introduction of 109 new high-yield seed varieties for farmers.
Chouhan highlighted that when soybean prices fell, Modi responded by imposing a 20% import duty on soybean oil imports, leading to an increase in soybean prices that benefits farmers. He also noted the reduction of export duties from 40% to 20% for onions, allowing Maharashtra’s onion-producing farmers to secure better prices. Modi set the minimum support price (MSP) at a profit margin of 50% above production costs and authorized purchases of soybeans at this MSP.
Chouhan detailed the subsidies provided to farmers, noting that a 35 kg bag of urea is sold to them for Rs 266, while the actual cost is Rs 2,366, resulting in a subsidy of Rs 2,100. For a 50 kg bag of DAP, farmers receive a subsidy of Rs 1,083, with the retail price set at Rs 1,350.
( Source PIB )
