Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has said that a new Agriculture Insurance Scheme (Krushi Bima Yojana) would be brought as the present scheme is not proving much beneficial to the farmers while facing wrath of natural calamities. Addressing mediapersons in Patna today, the Agriculture Minister reiterated that betterment of agriculture, villages and farmers are on the priority of the union government. He further added that health of soil is necessary for the agricultural production and productivity and therefore ‘Soil Health card’ is being provided to the farmers. Besides these, government is undertaking all adequate measures to provide irrigation to every field, marketing of agri-produce and enhancement of livestock quality. He told that by the budget time, details of such schemes will be brought forward. The minister assured of no discrimination or politics with states while making efforts for the overall development of agricultural sector as it is a state subject. However, he expressed concern over non-utilisation of full allocation by states in respect of central schemes like the National Food Security Mission, National Agriculture Development Scheme, National Micro-Irrigation Scheme and National Bamboo Mission.
Underlining the importance of agricultural Universities in the agricultural development, he lamented that four ranges of Bihar- Munger, Gaya, Saran and Champaran- are not having Agriculture University and the state must take the appropriate steps to establish it. He informed that despite in principle approval of the Planning Commission and allocation of about rupees 1,000 crore in the year 2009, the Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa, Bihar is yet to get the status of central university. He confided that state government would soon take steps in this regard and the Centre is ready to provide all possible assistance. He also added that if land is provided, a Fishery Research Institute will be set up in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.