Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today announced that the government is working to ensure 100% procurement of pulses, including toor, masoor and urad at Minimum Support Price to guarantee fair returns to farmers. The Minister said this while interacting with the farmers specially invited by the Government on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day in New Delhi.
Mr Chouhan said that agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, with nearly 70% of the population dependent directly or indirectly on farming and allied activities. He said India has become the world’s largest rice producer, overtaking China, and added that restrictions on rice exports have been removed, leading to better prices for farmers, particularly for basmati rice. The Minister added that to protect domestic growers, the government has also imposed a 30% import duty on pulses.
Mr Chouhan said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is being further strengthened. He said the government is considering extending insurance coverage to crop losses caused by wild animals and waterlogging. He also announced that insurance companies will be liable to pay 12% interest if claim payments are delayed beyond the stipulated period.
Highlighting digital reforms, the Minister said Farmer ID is being introduced as a unique identity for farmers to simplify access to loans, insurance and welfare schemes, while reducing paperwork and delays through satellite-based crop assessment. He also announced stricter action against fake seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, stating that penalties will be increased up to 30 lakh rupees, along with provisions for imprisonment for serious violations.
Mr Chouhan said, scientific research has been intensified through the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, with ICAR teams working on crop disease prediction, post-harvest losses and improving the shelf life of perishable produce.
