Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana that aims to enhance agricultural productivity in 100 districts with low productivity and will benefit 1.7 crore farmers.
Presenting her straight eighth Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman termed “Agriculture as the 1st Engine”, and also announced the launching of Building Rural Prosperity and Resilience, National Mission for Edible Oilseed and Enhanced Credit through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), programmes.
She said, “Through the convergence of existing schemes and specialised measures, the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana in partnership with state will cover 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity and below-average credit parameters”.
The Finance Minister said that the aim of this programmes was to enhance the agricultural productivity, adopt crop diversification and sustainable agriculture practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block level, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit. This programme is likely to help 1.7 crore farmers.
Sitharaman announced the launch of ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience’ programme in partnership with states that would address underemployment in agriculture through skilling, investment, technology, and invigorating the rural economy.
“The goal is to generate ample opportunities in rural areas so that migration is an option, but not a necessity,” she said.
Announcing the enhanced credit through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), the Minister said that the KCC facilitate short term loans for 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. “The loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme will be enhanced from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for loans taken through the KCC.
To become “Aatmanirbharta in Pulses”, Sitharaman said that the government will launch the “National Mission for Edible Oilseed”.
She said, “Our Government will now launch a 6-year “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” with a special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor. Central agencies (NAFED and NCCF) will be ready to procure these 3 pulses, as much as offered during the next 4 years from farmers who register with these agencies and enter into agreements”.
The government also announced the launch of comprehensive programme to promote production, efficient supplies, processing, and remunerative prices for farmers in partnership with states.
Other key initiatives for farmers include setting up of a Makhana Board in Bihar, National Mission on High Yielding Seeds, Mission for Cotton Productivity, setting up of urea plant with annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons in Assam.
