GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a scheme like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a great help for a state like Assam, where flooding is a major problem. Speaking at the inauguration of the Natural Farming Conclave at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra and starting the process of officially distributing the financial benefits of the Fasal Bima Yojana, the Chief Minister said that the yojana has helped the farmers safeguard themselves from perennial flood crises.
Financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 236 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Yojana was provided to around 302465 farmers in the state in the last three seasons. The Chief Minister said that the Central and State governments provided the premium free of cost as only Rs 100 is taken as interest from the farmers. This is a significant step towards providing economic security to farmers. Dr. Sarma also said that for those farmers who sell their milk through cooperative societies, the state government will give them Rs. 5 per litre as a subsidy.
The Chief Minister, thanking the Agriculture Department for organizing the conclave, said that natural farming is bound to stay as an alternative mode of agriculture because, though modern inorganic agriculture gives high yields, it leads to depletion of soil quality as well as the environment. Therefore, the state government is trying to make good use of natural farming to increase agricultural produce and help double farmers' incomes. He also said that farmers should come forward for natural farming, make it a Jan Andolan, and make Assam a model state in natural farming. Natural farming is a way forward towards health and wealth, the Chief Minister added. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, who inaugurated the conclave by lighting the ceremonial lamp, also addressed the conclave. Agriculture Minister Atul Bora spoke on the occasion. Governor Acharya Devvrat's wife, Darshana Devi, Agriculture Minister Uttarakhand Ganesh Joshi, Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan, and Power Minister Nandita Garlosa were also present at the inaugural ceremony, where Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Asish Bhutani gave the welcome address. Several agriculture scientists and progressive farmers were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Gujarat Governor Devvrat, along with Chief Minister Dr. Sarma, inaugurated an exhibition where several organic products of local entrepreneurs were on display, stated a press release.
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