Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday termed the scourge of drought as the biggest threat to farmers and they are facing it since the past four years. The rainy days are getting lesser and lesser. This year, the month of July witnessed good rain but the next 40 days the rain vanished, lamented the Chief Minister while replying to marathon discussion over agrarian crisis in the State.
Fadnavis further said that increasing investment in agriculture is of paramount need. Extending of relief only cannot benefit the farmers. The need is to plan long-term as well as urgent measures. The Government ensured that no electricity supply of farmers was snapped during drought. Similarly, a slew of steps including concession in agriculture pumps, waiver of school fees of children of farmers, water supply by tankers and other such measures were taken to provide relief to distressed farmers, stated Fadnavis.
He said that till now debts of over 19,000 farmers have been waived and over 59000 wells have been dug in the past one year. The employment guarantee scheme is on. The farmers are facing acute shortage of water. In the month of August, Fodder Camps were organized where around 40000 cattle are sheltered. For the purpose, green fodder was harvested on 1.66 lakh hectares of land in 33 districts. If need arises, fodder from neighbouring states would be imported. In 570 villages of 14 drought-hit districts, water tankers have been deployed. In the past one year, direct relief has been provided to farmers that include waiver of sahukari loans and other benefits. 90 percent of announced cash relief has already been disbursed to farmers. The number of suicides increases in droughts. However, compared to 2006 figures, the incidents were less this year. Counselling of farmers is necessary to deter them from taking the extreme step. 82 lakh farmers have insured their crops. Under the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Yojana, each farmer would receive Rs 2 lakh. Moreover, the handicapped farmers would also receive aid from the Government, stated the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister further said that to deal with the water shortage the Jalyukta Shivar Yojana is being implemented in 6200 villages. In this scheme, whatever amount the MLA contributes the same amount will be contributed by State Government. If water gets stored for even three days in shivars at least 3 farmers can benefit. In the coming days, the Jalayukta Shivar scheme will be implemented in the selected 5000 villages. Rejuvenation of rivers will be done to deal with shortage of water, said Fadnavis.
“The Raymond Company is going to invest Rs 1500 crore in Amravati’s Textile Park. The inauguration will take place on December 21. This year, oranges were exported to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other countries. Similarly, orange processing industry was started in Morshi. The Nestle company has planned to set up dairy related industries in Gondiya and Bhandara districts, concluded the Chief Minister.
