Ranchi, Oct 30 Union minister Ram Nath Thakur on Friday urged farmers to adopt natural farming, describing it as essential for the health of cultivators and agricultural fields.
Addressing farmers at a programme here, Thakur said Rs 300 crore was distributed among 19 lakh farmers in Jharkhand as part of the 24th instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Gujarat.
Modi on Friday transferred over Rs 18,690 crore to the bank accounts of more than 9.34 crore farmers across the country as part of the welfare scheme.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme provides Rs 6,000 per year in income support to eligible farmers.
Joining the programme virtually from the Ranchi-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (ICAR-NISA), Thakur said, “I urge Jharkhand’s farmers to make good use of the funds and focus on adopting natural farming, alongside the use of improved seeds. Natural farming is essential for the health of both farmers and farmland.”
Around 25,000 hectares of land in the state are covered under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), involving over 11,000 farmers, an official said.
PKVY is a flagship government scheme launched in 2015 to promote organic farming and improve soil health.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, significant steps have been taken for the welfare of farmers, which had not been taken before,” Thakur, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, said at a state-level ‘PM-Kisan Utsav’.
Union government’s Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare joint secretary Franklin K Khobung said around 19 lakh farmers in Jharkhand are registered under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
He urged state government officials to ensure that all eligible farmers, who are currently deprived of the scheme’s benefits, are brought under its fold.
Later, Thakur attended a programme organised by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology at its campus here.
The Union minister expressed concern over the deteriorating health of agricultural soils due to the indiscriminate and excessive use of chemical fertilisers over the past several decades.
He stressed the need to restore soil health through balanced nutrient management, organic inputs and sustainable agricultural practices, highlighting ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ as an important initiative in this direction.
‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ is a nationwide campaign launched by the Centre and the ICAR to protect soil health and promote sustainable agriculture.
Thakur noted that the Government of India has introduced numerous schemes and support mechanisms for the farming community, but many tillers continue to face agricultural challenges due to inadequate awareness and limited access to these benefits.
He urged ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and state government agencies to strengthen their activities and ensure that government schemes and technological interventions reach farmers at the grassroots level.
Thakur emphasised the importance of regular soil testing as a prerequisite for promoting organic and sustainable farming systems and encouraged agricultural extension personnel to facilitate soil testing among farmers.
(PTI News)
