Chandigarh: Haryana Governor, Bandaru Dattatraya while addressing the first session of the State’s 15th Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday said that in a bid to further empower farmers and boost rural development, about 500 new CM-PACS ccenterswould be set up in the state. He said that these CM-PACS will serve as one-stop centers for training, marketing, and providing financial services for farmers.
He said that the present state government is establishing a vast network of cooperative organizations, such as Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and PACS, to empower our farmers and enhance rural prosperity.
The Governor said that, additionally the FPOs and PACS will be provided with interest-free loans up to Rs. 1 Crore for building warehouses for grain storage. He said that Haryana is an agrarian state, so the welfare of farmers is at the core of the present state government's policies.
The Governor said that while working towards farmers' welfare, the present state government has recently eradicated the colonial-era "abiyana" (a traditional tax). Besides this, Haryana has become the first state in the country where 24 crops are purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Due to the delayed monsoon this year, farmers had to arrange additional resources for the sowing of Kharif crops, which increased the cost of cultivation.
To provide relief, the government has given a bonus of Rs. 2000 per acre to every farmer for all Kharif crops. This is the first time in the history of Haryana that such a step has been taken, said Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya.
In the Rabi season of 2023 and 2024, over Rs. 133.75 crore have been released as compensation to 49,000 farmers for the crop losses due to natural disasters.
Besides this, the present state government has transferred Rs. 1 lakh 24 thousand crores into the bank accounts of 12 lakh farmers through the 'e-Kharid' portal, directly benefiting them from MSP-based crop purchases.
Policies are being designed and several decisions are being taken to make farmers more self-reliant and increasing their income, Governor
The Governor said that considering the current needs of the state, the present state government is making changes to the state’s agricultural system.Policies are being designed and several decisions are being taken with the aim of making farmers more self-reliant and increasing their income.
He said that today, fake fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides have become a major challenge for the agricultural sector. The present state government will enact strict laws to impose a ban of such practices and will ensure that farmers receive a hundred percent compensation.
The Governor said that in view of the shortage of irrigation water, the present state government will promote the cultivation of crops that require less water.
Farmers will be given an amount of Rs. 10,000 per acre if they sow alternative crops or keep their fields fallow instead of growing paddy. Also, farmers will continue to receive crop purchase payments through DBT within 48 hours, he said.
Government is committed to optimising the use of every drop of water
The Governor said that water scarcity has emerged as a global challenge today, hence acknowledging the same the present state government is committed to optimising the use of every drop of water and preventing wastage in its distribution.
He said that infrastructure improvements in canals will continue. Policies for micro-irrigation, rejuvenation of 19716 ponds, and treatment and management of wastewater will be continued. Government is committed to securing its legitimate share of water from the Ravi and Beas rivers and completing the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal.Continuous and firm advocacy is being done in these issues, said Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya.