The Government has taken a number of initiatives to boost agriculture production, develop high quality seeds, increase storage capacity and steps to reach the benefits of various research works from lab to land, said Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh.
The Government has launched Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to promote use of organic farming and reduce dependence on chemical inputs, the minister said.
Making a mention of Soil Health Card Scheme, he said that these cards will be issued to 3 crore farmers during current year and 55 million cards each during next two years. Also 100 mobile soil testing laboratories will be made available during the current year, he added.
Singh said that during August 2014, 5 new customised fertilizers have been approved, so that farmers may get required nutrients for their fields. Mentioning initiatives in Horticulture Sector, Singh said that with the launch of Saffron Park recently at Pampore (J&K), facility for processing packaging, e-auction of saffron will be available.
He further said that under Indo Dutch Cooperation project centre of excellence have been approved in Jalandhar (Punjab), Baramati (Maharashtra), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), which would develop modern technique for fruits and vegetables.
Radha Mohan Singh said that under National Agroforestry Policy 2014 a platform will be provided to stimulate component of farming system which will lead to meeting the ever increasing demand of timber, food, fuel, fodder, fertilizer, fibre and other agroforestry products; conserving the natural resources and forest; protecting the environment & providing environmental security; and increasing the forest/tree cover.
Singh further added that Government have also taken all possible steps to meet the challenge of drought and have announced a subsidy of 50% in diesel, seeds, where 50% rainfall deficit has been reported. An additional allocation of Rs 7 billion under Mission of Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during current year for availability of fodder has been made, he added.
In addition, waiver of duty on import of de-oiled soya extract, groundnut oil cake, sunflower oil cake, canola oil meal, mustard oil cake, rice bran and palm kernel cake to increase availability of feed ingredients will also be given, he said.
