The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is taking significant steps to promote the agriculture sector and ensure the welfare of farmers, according to Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy. Reddy highlighted the remarkable increase in the budget allocated to farmers since 2014 when the previous UPA government was in power.
Reddy emphasized that the current Central government is providing unprecedented support to make farming a profitable venture for farmers, unlike any time before since India's independence. Several initiatives have been introduced to encourage agricultural growth, including the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Sinchyaee Yojana, and the distribution of Kisan Credit cards and soil health cards to all sections of farmers.
The budget allocated to the agriculture sector has witnessed a substantial rise over the years. In 2014, the budget stood at Rs 21,933 crore, whereas it has now escalated to approximately Rs 1.25 lakh crore. These increased funds demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting the agricultural community and driving overall sector development.
Reddy further revealed that around 11 crore individuals across the country have been provided with Kisan credit cards, while approximately 23 crore soil health cards have been distributed among farmers. These initiatives aim to empower farmers by providing them with easy access to credit and information about the health of their soil, facilitating informed decision-making and efficient resource utilization.
The Union Tourism Minister also highlighted the government's efforts to reduce the country's reliance on imported cooking oils, which previously amounted to a staggering Rs one lakh crore annually. Various measures have been implemented to curtail imports and promote domestic production in this regard.
Reddy underscored the recent hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as a major decision benefitting farmers. The increased MSP ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their produce, bolstering their income and providing them with economic stability.
The Minister also drew attention to the revolution in the fertilizers sector under the current NDA government. He contrasted the previous scarcity of fertilizers, which often led to farmers queuing up outside stores and instances of clashes, with the current situation.
The government's introduction of neem-coated urea has effectively curbed the black market and ensured the abundant availability of urea throughout the country.
