MP Neiphiu Rio stresses on increasing agriculture production
Dimapur, April 1 (MExN): Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio has stressed on the need to increase agriculture production to sustain ourselves considering the increasing population and limited land. Speaking at the ‘Farmers’ fair cum awareness programme’ organized by KVK Dimapur on Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) at ICAR Complex for NEH Region, Medziphema on March 31, Rio further suggested to the village council chairmen to take initiative on behalf of all the farmers and approach the bank to get the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
He further stated that farmers of Dimapur can produce more rice given the suitable land and climate and can help the farmers of neighbouring districts in attaining food sufficiency. Stating that the farming community of Nagaland should approach the bankers for agriculture bank loan for smart agriculture production, he noted that indigenous farming will not be able to support the people in the 21st century. “Due to changing climatic conditions crop may fail and our latest technology like satellite mapping will help us in mapping of crop failure area,” he added, according to a press release received here.
Dr D.J. Rajkhowa, Joint Director, ICAR emphasised on climate change and how PMFBY can help the farmers to sustain their livelihood.
Dr. A. Chakraborty, General Manager, NABARD explained to the farmers about the details of the crop insurance scheme, which he termed as “immensely farmer friendly”. Stating that PMFBY is the greatest ever assistance extended by the Government on crop insurance, Chakraborty said that the scheme will have the lowest farmers’ share of premium till date. “The rest of the premium burden, even if more than 90% will be borne by the Government,” it said. There will be ‘One season one premium rate’ for fruit crops, pulses and oilseeds. The earlier provision of different premium rates for different districts and crops has been scrapped under the scheme. It is now @ 2% premium for Kharif and 1.5% for Rabi. Farmers will get full protection: No capping on premium rates and as a result, no reduction in sum insured. Inundation has also been included in the list of localized perils for the first time. Post harvest losses due to cyclone and unseasonal rains in the entire country have also been included for the first time in the scheme, which has included compulsory uses of mobile and satellite technology for accurate yield estimation and faster claim settlement. He also urged the farmers to get the KCC through banking system.
Dr A. Mitra, Director, NRC-M appealed to the farmers to take benefit of the scheme in view of climate change, which is affecting agriculture and allied activities. Dr Lalan Ram Director, CIH, Medziphema, asked the farmers to avail the maximum benefit of the scheme for cultivation of horticultural crops, as Nagaland falls under tropical and subtropical zone with high humidity, and moderately high temperature due to changing climate. He asserted that “we” should work together with all the stakeholders like state Agri department, bank, and insurance companies to avail the benefit of the scheme.
Dr. Bidyut C. Deka, Director, ICAR, ATARI in his remark told the farmers that due to Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, opening a bank account has become so easy. He explained about the benefit of the PMFBY and requested the state Nodal department to play a proactive role for the benefit of farmers under the scheme.
The Soil Health Cards and training certificate were distributed to farmers and extension personnel of village functionaries by Neiphiu Rio during the programme. During technical session, Branch Manager, SBI Medziphema and official of New India Insurance company, Dimapur cleared all the doubts of farmers regarding Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana being implemented, followed by Farmers Scientist interaction.
610 farmers, Government officials and others attended the programme.
