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Bargarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called upon the youths and farmers of Odisha to spread the information about the benefits of ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)’ in every nook and corner of the State and asked the farmers to embrace the scheme to meet the situation arising out of untimely crop loss.
Addressing BJP’s mega farmers’ convention at the circus ground here, the PM said the new crop insurance scheme of the Centre is intended to provide succour to farmers and they should avail of its benefits.
Modi said there some insurance policies earlier which failed to benefit farmers during adversity. “But after many rounds of discussion with insurance companies, farmers, agriculture scientists, we introduced the PMFBY, which is being welcomed by everyone, including the Opposition, farmers and State governments. This yojana can provide full insurance cover to the farmers,” he said.
Only 20 in every 100 have embraced the Fasal Bima Yojana so far, the PM regretted. “Cannot we ensure that 50 of 100 get the PMFBY?” he asked.
Seeking the help of the youths, the Prime minister said the young mass can reach out to the village farmers and apprise them about the benefits of the scheme.
“Can you assist me in reaching out to the people with my speech about the benefit of crop insurance?” the PM asked the gathering.
He said government representatives did not want more farmers to come under the yojana. “However, I appeal to all my friends from the farming community to come under the new Yojana,” Modi said.
The premium they have deposited would be utilized for their own betterment, Modi assured. “If a farmer pays Rs 600 as premium, the government will repay Rs 6,000 to him,” he said.
Advising the farmers to shun the traditional way of farming, he said they (ryots) should adopt three-layer farming. “Sow pulse seeds besides other crops in land, plant teak wood on the bund and apart from these embrace animal husbandry, honey production, fisheries and poultry,” he urged the farming community.
The prime minister also promised to double the income of peasants in tow years' time with the help of states. “2022 will be the 75th anniversary of Indian independence. I believe the Centre, State and farmers together can increase the income of farmers in India two fold by 2022,” Modi said.
Emphasizing a second green revolution, he said Odisha has the potential where this can occur. “After Uttar Pradesh, if there is any state which has abundant water resources, it is Odisha. Second agricultural revolution can take place here (Odisha)”, Modi pointed out while addressing the mega rally.
Raising concern over the urea crisis in the country last year, he said no chief minister or MP has written to him in 2015 seeking the fertilizer for farmers. "In some places, scuffles took place among people to get the fertilizers. During that time, some unscrupulous traders resorted to black marketing," he remembered.
However, the government took steps to check the black marketing. “The chemical factories were looting the urea for industrial use. But, we made the urea neem-coated, which can only be used in farm land”, he said.
