Dehradun: Prime Minister Narendra Modi digitally transferred over ₹20,500 crore to the bank accounts of more than 97.1 million farmers across the country under the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme from Varanasi. Under this installment, a sum of ₹184.25 crore was transferred to 828,787 beneficiary farmer families in Uttarakhand.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami virtually participated in the program from Garhi Cantt, Dehradun. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been consistently working to double farmers’ incomes and improve their standard of living. With the release of the 20th installment, farmers in Uttarakhand have received a cumulative amount of more than ₹3,300 crore under the scheme. He stated that since 2014, historic steps have been taken under the leadership of PM Modi for the welfare of the country’s farmers. By increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key crops, farmers are being given fair value for their produce.
Through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, farmers are being provided with insurance coverage against losses due to natural disasters, crop diseases, and pests. The Soil Health Card scheme, enables scientific testing of soil to inform farmers about nutrient deficiencies and the need for appropriate fertilizers, thus improving both crop quality and soil fertility.
The CM said that under the guidance of PM Modi, the state government is continuously working for the upliftment and prosperity of farmers in the state. Farmers are being provided interest-free loans of up to ₹3 lakh. Under the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme, up to 80% subsidy is being given for the purchase of agricultural equipment. Irrigation through canals has been made completely free for farmers. An allocation of ₹200 crore has been made for the construction of polyhouses to increase farmers’ income. In addition, a bonus of ₹20 per quintal is being given on wheat procurement, and the price of sugarcane has also been increased by ₹20 per quintal.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has implemented several major schemes with a cost of ₹1,200 crore, including a new Apple Policy, Kiwi Policy, State Millet Mission, and Dragon Fruit Policy to promote horticulture. Under these schemes, up to 80% subsidy is being provided to farmers. He stated that Uttarakhand ranked first in the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) issued by NITI Aayog. The state has also emerged as a leader in providing employment to youth, achieving a 4.4% reduction in the unemployment rate in one year. Uttarakhand became the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Agriculture Minister Shri Ganesh Joshi said that Uttarakhand received the award for “Best State in the Millet Sector” for 2023-24 at the International Nutri-Cereal Convention held in Hyderabad. The state has received national recognition from the Government of India for outstanding work in soil health and fertility management and organic farming. He added that Harsh Singh Dangwal, a farmer from village Sunkia in Nainital, won the “Organic India Award”, Uttarkashi secured second place for red rice under the “One District – One Product” scheme, and Haridwar and Tehri districts received first and second place respectively under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
On this occasion, MLA Savita Kapoor, Brij Bhushan Gairola, former MP Balraj Pasi, Secretary S.N. Pandey, Director General of Agriculture Ranveer Singh Chauhan, and farmers from across the state were present.
