IEP Chandigarh, February 23
With an increase of 19 percent, agriculture and allied sectors found prominence in Manohar Sarkar Budget 2023-24. For this financial year, an amount of Rs. 8316 crore has been announced for agriculture, allied and cooperation sectors.
“Agriculture and allied activities contribute 18.5 percent to the economy of the State. The contribution of Haryana’s farmers to the economic development of India is well recognized,” said Sh. Manohar Lal who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister while presenting the State Budget for the year 2023-24 during the ongoing session of the State Vidhan Sabha here today.
He said that Haryana is the only State that provides assurance on the Minimum Support Price for 14 crops. Over 9 lakh farmers register regularly on Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB), shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Finance Minister further shared that the widespread adoption of MFMB has made it easier for the State to undertake several unique initiatives such as Mera Pani Meri Virasat, financial support for Direct Seeded Rice, promotion of oilseeds and pulses and providing Bhawantar Bharpayee support where the market price falls below MSP.
The Finance Minister further informed that the Government has been able to ensure the direct transfer of benefits to farmers besides streamlining procurement processes and payments to farmers within 48 hours of approval of the purchase.
In the last two years, over Rs. 45,000 crore transferred directly into the accounts of the farmers
The Finance Minister further shared that in the last two years, the Government has transferred over Rs. 45,000 crore directly into the accounts of the farmers on procurement of their crops besides Rs. 428 crore for implementation of different schemes in agriculture.
“I am proud to share that our efforts in increasing incomes in agriculture, Haryana was conferred with the Best State Agribusiness Award-2022 by the Indian Agriculture and Food Council,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
A project worth Rs. 27 crore prepared to promote the cultivation of millets
The Finance Minister informed the House that since the year, 2023 will be celebrated as the Millet Year; a project of Rs. 27 crore is being prepared to promote the cultivation of millets through cluster demonstration, distribution of hybrid seeds, certified seed production, integrated nutrient and pest management.
He said that the Government of India is actively promoting the cultivation and consumption of millets in Haryana. In order to improve the productivity of bajra cultivation, a Nutri-Cereals Research Station was established by Chaudhary Charan Singh
“Haryana Agriculture University (CCS HAU) at Gokalpura in Bhiwani district will become functional in 2023,” further informed the Finance Minister.
Sh. Manohar Lal further informed that the Government will popularize the consumption of bajra through bringing out recipe book for various items based on bajra.
“I hope that Haryana will lead the way in improving the productivity of bajra cultivation, its branding and marketing through various products,” he added.
Government sets a target of 20,000 acres for the adoption of Natural Farming
The Finance Minister said that in 2023-24, the government has set a target of 20,000 acres for the adoption of Natural Farming of which demonstrations will be laid out over 6,000 acres.
“Two training centres have been established at Gurukul in Kurukshetra and Gharaunda in Karnal. Three more training centres are proposed to be established in 2023-24 located in the CCS HAU Hisar, HAMETI Jind and Mangiana in Sirsa,” shared the Finance Minister.
In 2022-23, 2238 farmers identified and provided support for the adoption of Natural Farming over 5906 acres against the target
The Finance Minister said that it was last year only when, he had announced a new programme on Natural Farming, and now he is happy to state that, with the guidance of experts in the area, the implementation of the scheme has commenced.
“In 2022-23, 2238 farmers have been identified and provided support for the adoption of Natural Farming over 5906 acres against the target of 2500 acres set in the Budget Address last year,” shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
Focusing on Precision Agriculture, the project will be initiated in the Sirsa district
The Finance Minister said that the State Government proposes to focus on Precision Agriculture which enables climate-smart agriculture through judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides, optimizing water usage through micro-irrigation techniques, crop health monitoring through drone imagery, soil health monitoring, local area disease and pest surveillance and increasing adoption of solar pumps.
“The project will be initiated in Sirsa district and based on the learnings, it will be expanded to other districts in phases. Taking forward the initiative of the Central Government for the adoption of Kisan Drones in agricultural activities, the Government plans to impart training to 500 young farmers in drone operations,” shared the Finance Minister.
The scheme introduced for facilitating farmers to adopt green manuring
The Finance Minister said that Green manuring or Dhaincha cultivation increases soil organic matter and improves soil health, realizing this, the State Government has introduced a scheme where the farmer will be facilitated to adopt green manuring through dhaincha cultivation where the Government will bear 80 percent of the cost of Rs. 720 per acre and the farmer has to contribute only 20 percent of the cost.
