Agriculture Updates: Request of Funds for Krishi Bhagya Scheme

Minister for Agriculture, Krishna Byregowda, has said that his ministry has asked the Union government to grant funds for the project, considering the success of the ambitious Krishi Bhagya scheme.

After inspecting the demonstration of new tractor-mounted sprayer given to farmers by the government on a rental basis under the Custom Hire Centre scheme, he was interacted with media. He also claimed that for dry land farmers the Krishi Bhagya was one of the best comprehensive schemes introduced. The State government had conveyed the matter to the Union government, and has received positive response from the latter, he informed.

The government has decided to grant one such tractor-mounted sprayer to all centres of the State under the custom hire centre. He said, “At present, the State has 175 centres. This year, the government plans to add 300 more centres for the benefit of farmers. These farmers can hire modern agricultural machines on a nominal rent thereby saving both their time and money.”

The cost of cultivation increases due to heavy labour costs, but now the government renting machinery to farmers would reduce the cost of cultivation by at least 30 per cent.

The Union government was giving Rs. 1600/quintal MSP, the State government was adding Rs. 500 which made the MSP Rs. 2100/ quintal, said Mr. Byregowda. The government is also giving an impetus to introducing high-yielding varieties of jowar seeds.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/