The NDA Government is taking several initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Cards for the welfare of farmers, B Dattatreya, Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, said.
Speaking to the Media here on Monday the Minister disclosed that Food Corporation of India (FCI) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) jointly procured 1,38,000 tonnes of the pigeon peas (Red gram) this year. NAFED accounted for 90,000 tonnes procurement while the rest of the 48,000 tonnes were procured by FCI, he said. Whereas during the last year the procurement was to the extent of 23,000 tonnes only, he added. Year 2016 was declared as ‘International year of Pulses’. The farmers in Telangana and other states have largely cultivated pulses in 2016-17 particularly Red gram, which is evident from the record estimated production of pulses for 2016-17 reaching 22.14 million tonnes 35 % more than the previous year. However due to surplus production, market price fluctuations are not fetching remunerative prices to the farmers. Food Corporation of India may take procurement of these pulses especially Red gram on a large scale.
Stating that farmers are in distress, he urged the Telangana State Government to come forward and help farmers who had sown pulses by enhancing the procurement. Also the state government should strive to bring more and more farmers under the PMFBY so that the kisans may get the intended benefit in the advent of any untoward incidents, the Minister reminded. Out of the total 50 lakhs of farmers in Telangana, only 6 lakhs farmers were registered for the PMFBY till date.(NSS)