Diversify to raise income, Modi tells farmers

Modi said farmers to "raise farm incomes through diversification in farming activities," they could also opt for timber plantation along the edges of their fields and begin animal husbandry.

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March 20, 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for raising farm income through diversification in farming activities.

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]T[/dropcap]he Prime Minister urged all stakeholders including states to take a resolve to double the income of farmers by 2022.

He said the next revolution in agriculture will be based on technology.

Addressing farmers at the Krishi Unnati Mela, Modi said: “The next revolution in Indian agriculture has to be built on technology and modernization, and the eastern part of India had maximum potential to achieve it”.

He also assured that, “The government is working towards this goal.”

Modi said the task of doubling farm income may be challenging but was a worthy objective.

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]C[/dropcap]alling to “raise farm incomes through diversification in farming activities”, he said farmers could also opt for timber plantation along the edges of their fields and begin animal husbandry.

Diversification in farming activity will reduce the risks associated with agriculture, he added.

Modi said India’s future had to be built on the growth of agriculture and prosperity of its farmers and its villages and the union budget presented last month would have a far-reaching impact on these sectors.

Modi said reduction of input costs was the first element towards raising farm incomes and said the Soil Health Card scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana were steps in this direction.

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]M[/dropcap]odi also explained the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and said it had been evolved after wide ranging consultations.

He said the scheme was characterized by minimum premium and maximum security.

On the occasion, the prime minister gave away the Krishi Karman Awards for 2014-15 to states and farmers.

He also launched a mobile app “Kisan Suvidha” for farmers.

The mobile app will provide information to farmers on subjects such as weather, market prices, seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and agriculture machinery.