The Madhya Pradesh Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister, Dr. Ramkrishna Kusmaria has demanded a Rs. 3400 crore special package from the Union Government for agricultural operations to be taken up in the state in the wake of the situation emerging due to scanty rains.Dr. Kusmaria has also requested to sanction an amount of Rs. 100 crore at the earliest in view of the paucity of funds for agriculture schemes being sponsored by the Central Government in Madhya Pradesh. The Farmers Welfare Minister Dr. Kusmaria made this plea at a Conference of the Agriculture Ministers of the States in New Delhi today. The Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar presided over the conference.
Speaking further, the Farmers Welfare Minister, Dr. Kusmaria informed that Madhya Pradesh has received monsoon rains late by 15 days. Till August 17, the state has recorded average rainfall of 435 milimeter, which is 33 percent less than the normal rainfall. He also added that only nine districts have received normal rainfall and 40 districts registered less rainfall than the normal.
Katni district has received very low rainfall. In view of the above facts, the state government have declared 37 drought affected districts registering rainfall below 25 percent. Dr. Kusmaria stated that there has been a decrease of six lakh hectares in the area of Kharif crops in the state. Dr. Kusmaria expressed the apprehension that if there were no adequate rains till August end then the paddy production might be dropped by 50 to 60 percent.
Elaborating on the state government’s strategy to combat the situation, Dr. Kusmaria said that contingency action plan has been chalked out for each district. He said that the Union Government has offered to provide subsidy on diesel to the farmers affected by the scanty rains for irrigation.
He further said that the Union Government has issued directives to implement this scheme in the districts receiving upto 50 percent less rainfall than the normal as on July 15. In view of these directives, this scheme could be implemented only in five districts of the state. Dr. Kusmaria suggested that it would be proper to implement this scheme in the districts with 40 percent less rainfall as on August 10.
He also informed that a grant of Rs. 300 crore would be required to implement this scheme in 37 drought affected districts of the state. He also put forth a demand to provide input subsidy of Rs. 400 crore.
Dr. Kusmaria informed that the state government have taken a decision to grant exemption to the farmers under the Krishak Rahat Yojana upto September 30, 2009 in order to make them available regular supply of electricity.
Dr. Kusmaria said that it would be required to purchase additional electricity so as to provide three-phase power supply to the farmers for 10 hours everyday in the coming months. For this, he urged the Central Government to provide an assistance of Rs. 1891 crore.
Speaking further, the Farmers Welfare Minister, Dr. Kusmaria informed that Madhya Pradesh has received monsoon rains late by 15 days. Till August 17, the state has recorded average rainfall of 435 milimeter, which is 33 percent less than the normal rainfall. He also added that only nine districts have received normal rainfall and 40 districts registered less rainfall than the normal.
Katni district has received very low rainfall. In view of the above facts, the state government have declared 37 drought affected districts registering rainfall below 25 percent. Dr. Kusmaria stated that there has been a decrease of six lakh hectares in the area of Kharif crops in the state. Dr. Kusmaria expressed the apprehension that if there were no adequate rains till August end then the paddy production might be dropped by 50 to 60 percent.
Elaborating on the state government’s strategy to combat the situation, Dr. Kusmaria said that contingency action plan has been chalked out for each district. He said that the Union Government has offered to provide subsidy on diesel to the farmers affected by the scanty rains for irrigation.
He further said that the Union Government has issued directives to implement this scheme in the districts receiving upto 50 percent less rainfall than the normal as on July 15. In view of these directives, this scheme could be implemented only in five districts of the state. Dr. Kusmaria suggested that it would be proper to implement this scheme in the districts with 40 percent less rainfall as on August 10.
He also informed that a grant of Rs. 300 crore would be required to implement this scheme in 37 drought affected districts of the state. He also put forth a demand to provide input subsidy of Rs. 400 crore.
Dr. Kusmaria informed that the state government have taken a decision to grant exemption to the farmers under the Krishak Rahat Yojana upto September 30, 2009 in order to make them available regular supply of electricity.
Dr. Kusmaria said that it would be required to purchase additional electricity so as to provide three-phase power supply to the farmers for 10 hours everyday in the coming months. For this, he urged the Central Government to provide an assistance of Rs. 1891 crore.
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