Special drive for crop protection: CM
Bhopal. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed to launch a mega drive to guide farmers on protection of crops. Crop protection should be turned into a mission. Reviewing activities of Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Department, Shri Chouhan said that it is better to protect crops from all risks, specially caterpillar menace through advance assessment instead of loss of crop due to adverse climate. Special drive to make farmers aware will be conducted from April 15 to June 15.
Reviewing facilities available for farmers at Krishi Upaj Mandis, the Chief Minister directed that Mandi Board will not construct rural roads. Funds available for this will be made available to Rural Road Development Authority. He said that Mandi Board should mainly focus on strengthening infrastructural arrangements of Mandis and making crop procurement process fully transparent.
Reviewing facilities for farmers, the Chief Minister said that over Rs. 20 thousand crore assistance has been given to farmers including subsidy on power, relief against crop loss, crop insurance amount and other aids.
Improve implementation of subsidy-based schemes
Shri Chouhan directed for verification of beneficiaries under programmes of Central government like National Food Security Mission and National Oilseed Mission. He instructed for constant monitoring of Central government’s agriculture schemes.
The Chief Minister directed to conduct a campaign to motivate farmers to make Madhya Pradesh model state in organic farming. Expressing dissatisfaction over implementation of subsidy-based schemes for farmers, Shri Chouhan said that it needs further improvement. Shri Chouhan said that subsidy for farmers must be directly deposited in their bank accounts without delay. The state government is committed to eradicating role of middlemen in purchase of agricultural inputs.
Reviewing conduct of 750 custom hiring centres set up for convenience of farmers, the Chief Minister said that he would hold dialogue with operators of these centres. It is noteworthy that in its study report, NABARD has described establishment of custom hiring centres in Madhya Pradesh as ideal. Officers and experts from other states are coming to study this system.
The Chief Minister directed to assess all horticulture crops along with food grains, pulses and oilseeds. He said that this should be included in agriculture statistics so that state’s total agriculture production can be assessed.
Directing for promoting use of new seed varieties, the Chief Minister instructed for necessary measures to ensure specific geographical identity of conventional Tuar pulse produced on Naramada banks from Hoshangabad to Narsinghpur. In view of possibilities of organic farming and organic products, Shri Chouhan directed to develop production of organic seeds as Madhya Pradesh Brand
The meeting was informed that redundant schemes like Accelerated Maize Development, Bullock Cart Scheme, Seed Strengthening, Organic Farming, Soil Health Card, Seed Village and Agro Climate Zone Project have been abolished. Benefits under these schemes are being provided to farmers through other schemes. The Chief Minister directed to re-structure and re-start Balram Talab Yojana. Reviewing farmers’ foreign study tour scheme, Shri Chouhan directed that farmers should be sent to only those countries which have acquired expertise in crop production like Israel, Holland and Denmark.
Reviewing farmers’ complaints received at CM Helpline, the Chief Minister said that strict action should be taken against the officers who have closed cases without completely redressing complaints.
Agriculture Minister Shri Gaurishankar Bisen, Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri P.C. Meena, Secretary Agriculture Dr. Rajesh Rajora, Secretary to CM Shri Vivek Agrawal and other senior officers attended the meeting.
