Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan disclosed that a state level Monitoring Committee has been constituted to ensure full utilization of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. Shivraj was participating with the Central govt led by Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar.
The event was conducted through Video Conference and Chief Ministers of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Agriculture Ministers of Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Purshottam Rupala and Kailash Chaudhry participated in the discussion.
The new Central Sector Scheme of financing facility under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore was in the focus.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the state has formulated projects for the fund allocated to the state under the Agri Infrastructure Fund. 17000 Kisan Mitr will help to create awareness among 17 lakh farmers about the provisions in the ordinances.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that infrastructure will be created in accordance with local requirements, so that farmers get facilities at their doorsteps.
During the discussions, Tomar emphasized that it has to be ensured that the full benefit of the Rs. 1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund reaches the small and medium farmers who comprise more than 85% of the total farmers in the country.
The Union Agriculture Minister said that the new ordinances brought in by the government are farmer-welfare oriented and there is no need to get misled on the issue of Minimum Support Price.
Sharing his vision for agriculture under “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, Tomar noted the various reforms and schemes launched to strengthen the vision for the agriculture sector, including the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, the Scheme for Facilitation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs, three recent Ordinances, and benefits released under PM-KISAN and KCC for the farmers.
“The schemes will help states to drive growth in investment, create new jobs in the agriculture and allied sectors, and improve farmers’ income. Community farming assets like modern silos, cold chains, integrated pack-houses, and IoT/ precision agriculture would also be built”, said the Minister.
The group also exchanged views on how different groups, including FPOs, PACS, and start-ups, can avail the benefits under the scheme, thereby creating an ecosystem that reaches farmers in every corner of the country.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan disclosed that a state level Monitoring Committee has been constituted to ensure full utilization of the allotted fund.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the state has formulated projects for the fund allocated to the state under the Agri Infrastructure Fund. 17000 Kisan Mitr will help to create awareness among 17 lakh farmers about the provisions in the ordinances.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that infrastructure will be created in accordance with local requirements, so that farmers get facilities at their doorsteps.
Vivek Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare made a presentation of the plan, and suggested creating a Project Management Unit in the States.
Agriculture Ministers of Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Chairman of NABARD, and Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Shri Kailash Choudhary and Parshottam Rupala also expressed their views.