Haryana Government Committed to Increasing Farmers’ Income and Making Agriculture Profitable: Agriculture Minister

Chandigarh, March 6 – Haryana’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana, stated that the state government is taking significant steps to increase farmers’ income and make agriculture a profitable business.

Speaking at a private channel’s program, the minister emphasized that natural farming is being promoted, along with efforts to convert barren land into fertile fields. He highlighted that shrimp farming is also being encouraged as part of these initiatives.

To boost farmers’ earnings, the government is focusing on natural farming, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), agricultural mechanization, and agro-tourism. Plans are in place to provide better support prices for products from natural farming. Farmers are being linked to FPOs to ensure they get higher value for their produce. Modern agricultural equipment is being made available, and agro-tourism will also be promoted.

The minister noted that farmers are being encouraged to shift from traditional crops to diversified farming. To support natural farming, a subsidy of ₹25,000 is provided to purchase an indigenous cow, which will soon be increased to ₹30,000. The state has established four natural farming training centers in Gurukul (Kurukshetra), Gharaunda (Karnal), Jind, and Mangiana (Sirsa).

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, ₹6,563 crore has been distributed to 20.69 lakh farmers in Haryana so far.

In case of crop damage, the government ensures that farmers’ losses are assessed by agriculture officers at the block and district levels. Compensation is provided through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) or the compensation portal.

To tackle stubble burning, the government has taken effective measures, offering 50% to 80% subsidies on crop residue management machines. So far, 1,00,882 such machines have been distributed. Additionally, farmers receive an incentive of ₹1,000 per acre for managing paddy residue. Under the ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat’ scheme, farmers who switch from paddy to alternative crops receive ₹7,000 per acre, while direct seeding of rice earns them ₹4,000 per acre. Villages in the red zone are given up to ₹1,00,000 in incentives to prevent stubble burning.

The minister reiterated that the Haryana government is committed to strengthening farmers economically. With initiatives like natural farming, modern agricultural techniques, FPOs, and agro-tourism, farming in the state will become a more profitable and sustainable profession.