Operation Greens would benefit farmers growing Tomato, Onion and Potato

NEW DELHI: Recently, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has attended the National Conference on the theme ?Agriculture-2022: Doubling Farmers’ Incomes” organised at NASC Complex, Pusa, Delhi.nnSeven thematic groups made presentations on the following subjects:nnPolicy and Governance ReformsnAgriculture Trade Policy and Export Promotion; Market Structure and Marketing EfficiencynValue Chain and Supply Chain ManagementnScience and Technology and Start-ups in AgriculturenSustainable and Equitable Development and Efficient Delivery of ServicesnCapital Investment and Institutional Credit for farmersnPromotion of Livestock, Dairy, Poultry and Fisheries as Engines of GrowthnnThe Prime Minister appreciated the presentations. He also complimented the farmers of India, especially for the big jump in production of pulses.nnHe said the Government is taking a series of coordinated steps to improve the income of farmers.nnIn this regard, he mentioned four aspects: reducing input costs; ensuring a fair price for the produce; reducing wastage; and creating alternate sources of income.nnThe Prime Minister said that 100 per cent neem coating of urea has led to an increased efficiency of the urea itself, while also increasing productivity.nnHe said that a study indicates that the use of soil health cards has led to a reduction in the use of chemical fertilisers, while increasing production.nnModi said that the Union Government is working towards completing 99 incomplete irrigation projects.nnHe added that 50 of these are likely to be completed this year. With each completed irrigation project, he added, the input cost of farmers would come down.nnHe said 20 lakh hectares of farmland has so far been brought under micro irrigation, through the Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchaiYojana.nnThe Prime Minister said that ?Operation Greens? announced in the budget this year, would benefit farmers growing Tomato, Onion and Potato. He said 22,000 GrameenHaats would be upgraded with appropriate infrastructure, and integrated with the e-NAM platform. The farmers will have a facility within 5 to 15 kilometres of his land, to connect him with markets.nnThe Prime Minister said that the amount sanctioned for agriculture credit has been enhanced, to ensure easy availability of credit to farmers.nnHe said several initiatives are being undertaken to convert agriculture waste to wealth.