PM-Kisan 24th instalment: Rs 67.36 crore reaches 3.36 lakh farm families in Buldhana

Buldhana: The 24th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under it, Rs 67.36 crore has been credited directly to the bank accounts of 3,36,825 eligible farm families in Buldhana district.

Farmers are getting financial support from various Central and state government schemes ahead of Diwali, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said.

Jadhav said eligible farmers have received the 24th instalment of Rs 2,000 under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. In addition, taking into account drought-like conditions and crop losses, the state government is giving an advance benefit of Rs 5,000. Together, the two schemes will give eligible farmers support of Rs 7,000 before Diwali.

A live broadcast of the event was arranged at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Buldhana, under Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University. Those present included Dr Dhanraj Undirwade (Director, Extension Education), Dr Pramod Wakale (Associate Dean), Santosh Dabre (District Superintendent Agriculture Officer), Dr Satish Jadhav (Principal, Agricultural Technical School, Buldhana), Amol Zape (Senior Scientist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Buldhana), Omsing Rajput, Anuja Sawale and Adv Gaikwad, along with farmers from the district, representatives of women's self-help groups and journalists.

Climate change and the likely impact of El Nino will pose challenges for farming. Farmers were urged to make good use of modern technology to meet them. They were also asked to use the facility that lets them upload photographs of crop diseases and pests through Android mobile phones and digital platforms to get diagnosis and guidance. The agency concerned was advised to give soil-testing reports in simple Marathi that farmers can easily understand, and to prepare them so that the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash (NPK) in the soil are clear.

Emphasis was laid on planning fodder crops in the rabi season. As water scarcity is likely ahead, careful planning of the available water is necessary. Farmers were urged to plan their rabi crops keeping in mind the need for drinking water and the availability of fodder for livestock, and to give priority to growing gram, jowar and fodder crops. To encourage fodder production, the government will buy fodder at the guaranteed price, they were told.

It was said that raising women's participation in economic activities and women's empowerment are essential to reach the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal. Emphasis was laid on increasing women's participation in farming and allied businesses, and on creating employment and income opportunities through women's self-help groups. It was also asserted that women have an important share in the development of the farm sector.

The introductory address at the event was given by Amol Zape, Senior Scientist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Dr Dhanraj Undirwade and Santosh Dabre gave information on various schemes in the farm sector. They stressed the importance of planning for the coming rabi season in a changing climate, using modern technology, and managing water and fodder. Some women's self-help groups and progressive farmers were honoured symbolically with certificates of appreciation.