According to officials, the Government of Rajasthan is working on a strategy to increase farmers’ income. Officials said that the steps include providing seeds of improved varieties at an affordable rate so that there is an increase in productivity and income.
The government is also holding campaigns and discussions with farmers in every corner of the state to improve farming techniques.
According to estimates, agriculture and allied sectors contribute over 25 per cent to the gross state domestic product. For the fiscal year 2022-23, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot presented a separate Budget for agriculture, which made a provision of Rs 1,705 crore which will benefit over 400,000 farmers with drip irrigation.
Similarly, the state has accepted the construction of 9,738 farm ponds, for which the Budget offered a subsidy of Rs 825 crore.
A plan to provide a subsidy of Rs 61.58 crore for setting up 22,807 solar pumps for farmers is in pipeline.
The work is also on to provide 1,000 drones with a cost of Rs 40 crore to gram seva sahakari samitis and farmer organisations to help farmers spray pesticides efficiently in less time and at a low cost.
Seeds of 1 million bajra or pearl millet mini kits worth Rs 78 crore and 200,000 micronutrients and organic pesticide kits have been disseminated to small and marginal farmers under the Mukhyamantri Beej Swavalamban Yojana.
However, the government is moving to a proposal to set up an organic commodity board and centres for excellence for micro irrigation at divisional headquarters.
