The government is planning to re-launch farm income
insurance scheme to provide a guaranteed income to farmers. The scheme was
launched on a pilot basis during NDA rule in 2003-04 in selected districts of
the country.
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh told
reporters after assuming charge of his ministry that the scheme is intended to
protect farmers' income by insuring minimum income. He said the minimum
guaranteed income will be derived on the basis of average farm income. Singh
said, the new government will also open more agriculture universities for
research.
The Agriculture minister said the government will
also involve farmers in policy-making and its implementation. He said his
ministry will also launch Prime Minister Rural Irrigation Scheme, to augment
irrigation facilities. In reply to a question on controlling price rise, the
Minister said, whenever NDA has been in power, it has kept the prices of
essential commodities under check.
On the possible drought like conditions in the
country due to prediction of below average rainfall, he said, states have been
advised to make contingency plan and use 10 percent fund of Rashtriya Krishi
Vikas Yojana to tackle the situation.
Comments