Farmers got modern equipment worth Rs 225.8 cr, thanks to Bengal CM
Farmers in Bengal are getting modern equipment thanks to ample help provided by the State Government.
Following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s special instructions, the government took up the Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanisation (FSSFM). Till the financial year 2016-17, under this scheme, financial support worth Rs 225.8 crore has been given to 1.82 lakh farmers to buy modern small or medium-sized tools for farming.
It is not always possible for farmers to make such huge investments to buy the different types of heavy tools that are also necessary for farming. To ensure their availability for farmers, Custom Hiring Centres (CHC) have been set up across the state, from where heavy agricultural tools can be had on rent at a much subsidised rate. From 2014 to 2017, as many as 586 CHCs have been set up.
Besides financial assistance, the department has also helped farmers in gathering knowledge about modern and updated technology for farming. It has ensured an increase in production of crops. Moreover, the farmers have started getting the right price for their yield.
Soon after coming to power, the Chief Minister had directed all concerned departments to take necessary steps to ensure farmers can make a profit. It may be mentioned that average yearly income of farmers in Bengal has gone up to Rs 2.39 lakh during the 2016-17 fiscal, from Rs 91,011 during 2010-11. Moreover, 16.55 lakh hectares of agricultural land have been brought under crop insurance over the past six years; the total area has gone up to 21 lakh hectares currently, from 4.45 lakh hectares during the 2011-12 fiscal.
