Team Herald
PANJIM: Agriculture Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar on Friday called upon the farmers to enroll themselves at their respective Zonal Agricultural Offices (ZAO) to avail the benefits of Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana schemes.
He said that government is emphasising on promoting organic farming in Goa and the cultivated yield should fetch a handsome price for farmers.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, Kavlekar said that a special one-day enrolment camp on November 5 has been organised from 10.30 am to 4 pm in all Zonal Agricultural Offices for these two schemes. “Farmers will have to take Krishi card abstract and Aadhar card to enroll themselves for these schemes,” Kavlekar said.
He informed that under PM Kisan Scheme around 6875 farmers have already been enrolled; payments to 4901 farmers have been already made; and an amount of Rs 2.07 crore has already been disbursed.
“Under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme Rs 6000 per year in three equal instalments will be transferred to the accounts of a farmer. Farmers can avail the scheme,” he said.
Explaining about Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana, he said, “Fixed pension of Rs 3000 will be provided to all eligible marginal farmers. The farmers who are in the age group of 18 to 40 years are eligible for this scheme. They will have to contribute Rs 55 to Rs 200 per month in the pension fund until their retirement age of 60 years and later they will get the pension benefit.”
“Farmers are requested to take their Aadhar card, bank passbook, account details and visit their nearest Zonal Agricultural Office to enroll and avail this scheme,” Kavlekar urged.
Kavlekar also informed that there around 38,000 Krishi card holding farmers in Goa, of whom 21,000 are eligible to avail these schemes.
He also said that efforts are being made by him to give all the Central and State government schemes to the Goan farmers and to popularise these schemes among them so that more farmers can come ahead for their enrolment and take benefit from it.
Commenting on the horticulture sector, he said that the Horticulture Corporation is a profit making body. “Now more focus will be on to promote organic farming in Goa. Over 500 clusters are into organic farming. Fund of Rs 50 crore has come from Central government which will be utilised in such agricultural activities,” he said.
He further informed that 10,000 hectare of land will be utilised in Goa for Kharif and Rabi crop cultivation in organic method.
Disclosing his strategy about bringing some changes in the agricultural field, Kavlekar said that talks are on with some experts and agriculturists from others States like Gujrat, Maharashtra. “Efforts and focus is on getting good amount for the agricultural produce of the farmers which will be done by organic farming,” he said.
“The government is taking lot of efforts in making good innovations, improvement in the agricultural sector, so the Goan youth should also see the agro-based activities as their career. Goa should be known for its Agricultural aspect too,” he said.
