Under the “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana”, an amount of Rs 4157.73 crore has been directly deposited in the accounts of 19.94 lakh farmers of the state in the last four years
A sum of Rs 90,000 crore has been directly deposited into the accounts of farmers registered on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal - Governor
Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, an amount of Rs. 836.12 crore has been deposited into the bank accounts of Bajra-producing farmers
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, February 20-
Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, in his address during the ongoing budget session in the Vidhan Sabha stated that the Haryana government is committed to making agriculture profitable, as well as to farmers' welfare and their economic upliftment. He said that under the “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana”, an amount of Rs. 4157.73 crore has been directly deposited into the accounts of 19.94 lakh farmers of the state in the last four years. Apart from this, the state government has set a unique example by procuring 14 crops at MSP.
He stated that a sum of Rs 90,000 crore has been directly deposited into the accounts of farmers registered on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal. An amount of Rs. 836.12 crore has been deposited into the bank accounts of Bajra producing farmers under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.
Dattatraya said that Haryana Government has acted as a shield for farmers during natural disasters. Under the ‘Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme’ claims worth Rs.8178 crore have been given to 32.06 lakh farmers whose crops were damaged. He further shared that the compensation amount for crop damage due to natural calamities has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and around Rs 1845.95 crore was disbursed as compensation to farmers for crop damage due to natural disasters.
Dattatraya said that to protect soil health from degradation and discourage the use of hazardous pesticides, the government has implemented the Natural Farming Scheme. For this, 13,388 farmers have so far registered on the dedicated Natural Farming Portal launched for this purpose. Four Natural Farming Training Centres have been opened at Kurukshetra Gurukul, Gharaunda in Karnal district, Hameti in Jind, and Mangiana in Sirsa.
He said that under the ‘Mera Pani-Meri Virasat’ scheme, financial assistance of about Rs 117.22 crore has been provided at the rate of Rs 7,000 per acre for sowing alternative crops instead of paddy across 1.72 lakh acres of land. Additionally, farmers who repay their loans on time have been granted the facility of interest-free crop loans. Furthermore, 12 centres of excellence have been established in the state including some using Israeli technology.
The Governor said that an amount of Rs 1095 crore has so far been allocated for the development of new and additional markets. Additionally, construction work for new and additional grain and vegetable markets is underway, with a budget of Rs 100 crore. Moreover, construction is ongoing for an international-level horticulture market in Gannaur, costing Rs 3050 crores, and an apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore, covering 78 acres of land at a cost of Rs 150 crores. Furthermore, 108 mandis in the state have been integrated with the ‘National Agriculture Market Portal’ (e-NAM). The ‘Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen’ scheme has initiated canteens in 25 mandis to provide food at a subsidized rate of Rs 10 per plate. Plans are underway to establish canteens in another 15 mandis soon.
The Governor said that the Haryana Government is encouraging animal husbandry to provide additional sources of income to the farmers. Interest subsidies are being provided on bank loans to those establishing dairy farms with 20 and 50 milch animals in the state. He said that to boost indigenous cow breeds, farmers rearing high milk-yielding cows of Haryana, Sahiwal, and Belahi breeds are offered incentives ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000. The ‘Pandit Deen Dyal Uphadyaya Samoohik Pashudhan Beema Yojna’ has been implemented to provide financial security to livestock farmers.
He stated that under the Livestock Kisan Credit Card Scheme, 1.5 lakh livestock farmers have been provided with credit cards. Members of cooperative milk societies are covered under the Accident Insurance Scheme, receiving accident insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh per person. The government has initiated a unique program of mobile veterinary unit to ensure veterinary facilities reach livestock farmers at their doorstep. A total of 70 fully equipped mobile veterinary units have been purchased for this purpose.
The government has fixed the state advisory price for early varieties of sugarcane for the crushing season 2023-24 at Rs 386 per quintal and for late varieties at Rs 379 per quintal. The government has also decided to give a price of Rs 400 and Rs 393 per quintal for early and late varieties respectively for the upcoming crushing season 2024-25.
The Governor said that with the aim of providing ‘water to every field’, 72 remodelling and rehabilitation projects have been completed during the year 2023-24. These include major projects like JLN Feeder and Hansi Branch. 893 recharge wells have been constructed for groundwater recharge with rainwater collected in fields in the dark zone. During the year 2023-24, about 250 crore litres of water have been conserved by constructing 5 check dams and 26 water bodies in Mahendergarh district.
He said that the Micro Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority has been constituted in the state to promote micro irrigation. Haryana Pond and Wastewater Management Authority has been constituted for the purpose of renovation and rejuvenation of ponds as well as treatment and management of wastewater. The work of renovation of 1689 ponds has been completed under the “Amrit Sarovar Mission”.
He further shared that the state government is working expeditiously for the construction of Renuka, Kishau, and Lakhwar Vyasi dams on the upper reaches of the Yamuna River to ensure water supply to the state from the Yamuna and its tributaries - Giri and Tons. On completion of these dams, Haryana will get 47.81 percent of the total stored water.
Dattatraya said that the state government has approved a project worth Rs 388.16 crore under the first phase of the Saraswati River Revival and Heritage Development Project for the flow of the Saraswati River. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Government of Himachal Pradesh for the construction of the Adibadri Dam. This dam being built by the Himachal government, is likely to be completed by June 2026.
He said that the Haryana government is committed to getting its legitimate share of water from the Ravi-Beas rivers and completing the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal. As a result, continuous concrete efforts are being made to resolve the issue.