The state government of Maharashtra has announced ‘Advanced Farming-Enriched Farmer’ scheme, with the objective of increasing the farmer’s income by cutting production costs and increasing the output.
The farmers of the state have put forward a request to the government to waive off the loans that they have taken but instead of that, the government is planning to double their income with this scheme so that they could easily pay off their loans. The announcement of the scheme was announced in the State Financial Budget 2017-18.
According to the recent government resolution published last week, each tehsil, under the scheme, will be given a production target for crops. The target would be planned to keep in mind that farmers, after selling their produce, receive more money than the loan they have obtained. For farmers who are already receiving more money than the loan obtained, the target is 20% more than their present production.
Via What is covered under the scheme?
- Increasing the production of major crops in the state
- Diversification of the crops
- Making farmer’s aware of the marketing techniques
- Generating a unit among farmers through farm producer companies
- Making farmer’s financial stable
Benefits under the scheme
The farmers would know get the following benefits under the scheme:
- The mechanization of farming tractors
- Machines for polishing
- Grading and packing produces
- Power tillers and transplants
All of the following points would receive 60% more funds, these funds would be transferred directly into the bank account of the farmers liked with their Aadhaar cards.
Objectives of the scheme
The scheme covers a financial benefit that is aimed at raising the income of the farmers, as well as being able to keep the loans taken by the farmers.
Updates about the scheme
The state government would also run a campaign named as “Farmer Outreach Campaign” under the scheme between 25 May and 8 June 2017. In the campaign, the farmers would be informed about the latest techniques which can be used during the Kharif season to increase productivity and efficiency.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that while his government wants to waive off the loan, a decision affecting the same will be taken only at “the right time” and not based on the Opposition’s demands. He has also said the State government would invest more in agriculture rather than announcing a loan waiver. State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, in his Budget speech last month, had also said that the government aims to double farmers’ income by 2022.
Conclusion
The following scheme would benefit farmers in ways never thought about and would allow them to manage their finances as per they would like, the government of Maharashtra is finally getting to ways that would develop their agriculture industry as well.