Department of Agriculture today organised one day Block level Kissan Mela at Ghandhri block.More than 100 farmers were made aware about various flagship programmes and key projects of the department with the aim to double the farmers’ income by 2022.Speaking on the occasion, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), K.K.Gupta informed the farmers that under PMKSY launched in 2015-16 , water harvesting structures, water lifting irrigation sets, HDPE pipes on subsidised rates are provided to the farmers with the aim to provide irrigation benefits by ensuring ‘ Har Khet ko Pani ‘ and ‘Per Drop More Crop’ .He further informed about benefits of Kissan Credit Card Scheme and Soil Health Card scheme and asked farmers to avail soil testing from district soil testing laboratory which is free of cost.During the camp, farmers raised various issues regarding availability of farm machineries, Loan disbursement from various Banks, quality seed and fertilizers with timely availability of the same.
Meanwhile Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Madan Gopal Singh highlighted the flagship programmes like PMKSY, Soil Health Card Scheme and PMFBY and stressed upon the farmers to cover Maize, Paddy and Wheat crops under the crop insurance Scheme. He apprised that Maize and wheat crops are covered with the sum insured of Rs. 80000/- per Ha and Paddy Rs. 100000/- per Ha with the indemnity level up to 25-90%. Also, farmers have to pay only 2% as a premium in case of Maize or Paddy and 1.5% in case of wheat crop.During the programme a detailed information regarding organic farming and Mushroom Cultivation alongwith discussion on organic project at Panchayat Kabbi, Mushroom cultivation of both Dhingri and white Button Mushroom was provided to the farmers.It was also given out that department will provide pasteurized compost for growing white Button Mushroom from this season which will reduce the labour cost and time duration to grow the mushroom crop.Agriculture Extension Officer Ramban, Umesh Gupta, Agriculture Extension Officer Chanderkote, Anil Peer and Agriculture Extension Assistant, Jagdish Singh Bali and Surinder Singh were the resource persons of the programme.