Govt launches special drive to bring more farmers under PM crop cover scheme
In a major farmer outreach, the government on Thursday launched a special drive to enrol more cultivators under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
A week-long drive, starting July 1, will cover all notified areas under the kharif 2021 season with special focus on 75 aspirational districts where crop insurance penetration is low.
PMFBY, launched on January 13, 2016, aims to provide a comprehensive risk solution to farmers at the lowest uniform premium across the country.
Assam gets first agri business growth lab
Assam has got its first Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab which will support 100 Agri-Enterprises in four years.
This is the first of its kind programme to support enterprises in the agri and allied sectors launched in Assam. Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab (AAGL) is being initiated by CIIE.CO an incubator of IIM Ahmedabad in partnership with Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) under the aegis of Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services Society (ARIAS).
Govt asks industry to bring transparency in certification of truthful labelled seeds
The Centre on Thursday asked the seed industry to bring in transparency in certification of truthful labelled seeds even as it assured that it would try to address all their concerns. Addressing a virtual event organised by Assocham, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala said, “Providing better seeds is a priority as it is the basic need to improve productivity, then come technology and other aspects.’
There is a need to ensure that farmers get timely, affordable as well as quality seeds, and there can be no compromise in this regard, he said.
The minister said farmers should not suffer due to issues arising between the government and industry. He, however, added that the government needs to see that the industry’s concerns — be it smaller companies facing problems certification of truthful labelled seeds or other challenges — do not impact farmers in any way.
