In an event which saw many firsts, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated several ground-breaking schemes at Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi on Monday. He launched 600 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister launched PM Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana – One Nation One Fertiliser and also released the 12th instalment amount of Rs 16,000 crores under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through DBT.
Other highlights of the day were inauguration of the Agri Startup Conclave and launching of ‘Indian Edge’, an e-magazine on fertiliser by the PM. Later Modi took a walkthrough of Theme Pavilion of Startup Exhibition and inspected the products on display.
Addressing the gathering, Modi said these 600 Pradan Mantri Sammridhi Kendra, inaugurated today are not merely sales centres for fertiliser but a mechanism for establishing a deep bond with the farmers of the country.
The Prime Minister mentioned two new measures in the fertiliser reform story of India. Firstly, a campaign is being initiated today to develop more than 3.25 lakh fertiliser shops across the country as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras. These will be centres where farmers can buy not only fertilisers and seeds but also implement soil testing and avail useful information about farming techniques.
Secondly, with One Nation, One Fertiliser, the farmer is going to get rid of all kinds of confusion about the quality of the fertiliser and its availability.
“Now the urea sold in the country will be of the same name, same brand and same quality and this brand is Bharat! Now urea will be available only under ‘Bharat’ brand name in the entire country”, Shri Modi remarked. He further added that it will result in reducing the cost of fertilisers and increase their availability.
Regarding the fresh instalment of the PM-KISAN, Modi expressed happiness that this instalment is reaching the farmers just before Diwali.
Highlighting the steps that have immensely benefited the hardworking farmers, the Prime Minister remarked that India is rapidly moving towards self-sufficiency in liquid Nano urea production. Shri Modi pointed out, “Nano Urea is a medium to produce more with less cost.”
Stating its benefits, the Prime Minister said that a sack full of urea can now be replaced by a single bottle of
Nano urea. He further added that the transportation costs of urea would go down significantly.
The Prime Minister informed that 22 crore soil health cards have been distributed so far and scientific efforts are on for providing best quality seeds. The Prime Minister also highlighted the increasing curiosity about millets on the global level and stressed the need to encourage natural farming. Farmers are working on a large scale in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh as well as in UP, Uttarakhand for natural farming. In Gujarat, plans are being made for this at the district and gram panchayat level as well, he informed.
“Steps that ensure ‘Ease of Living’ for our farmers today”, the Prime Minister continued, “By using better and modern technology, we are also reducing the distance between the farm and the market.” The biggest beneficiary of this is also the small farmer, who is associated with perishable products like fruits, vegetables, milk and fish. Kisan Rail and Krishi Udan air service are helping a lot in this.
Agri exports increased by 18 per cent despite the problems of the worldwide pandemic and under the One District One Product scheme, export hubs are being established at the district level. “More than 1.75 crore farmers and 2.5 lakh traders have been linked with e-NAM. Transactions through e-NAM have exceeded Rs 2 lakh crore”, he informed.
Throwing light on the growing number of startups in the agricultural sector in the country, the Prime Minister remarked that it augurs well for the sector and rural economy.
“We will make agriculture attractive and prosperous in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, the Prime Minister said and concluded his address by wishing the best to all the farmers and startups.
