“Digital Agriculture Mission Played Crucial Role in Improving Farmers Standard of Living”: Prahlad Singh Patel, MoS-FPI

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for M/o Food Processing Industries, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has empowered farmers by providing them with modern digital technology. Patel, speaking at a press conference in New Delhi today about the various steps taken by the Narendra Modi government in the interest of farmers, said that through digital technology, farmers have been saved from many troubles and loot, as well as problems with corruption and middlemen.

He stated that the government's assistance to farmers has now begun to reach them directly. As a result, new business opportunities have been provided to them, and they can take advantage of them.

According to Prahlad Singh Patel, more than 1.74 crore farmers have been linked across the country through e-NAM Mandi, and 2.36 lakh businesses have been registered through e-NAM, with a total value of 2.22 lakh crore rupees transacted. According to the Union Minister, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has benefited 11.37 crore farmers in the country, with 2.16 lakh crore rupees directly deposited into their accounts. He stated that, following the digital revolution, farmers have received numerous benefits through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. He stated that the farmers' crops were being monitored via satellite.

Patel stated that 16,000 crore rupees were allocated for this scheme in 2021-22, and that from 2016 to 2022, 38 crore farmers were registered in this scheme, and claims totaling more than 1,28,522 rupees were paid, while farmers contributed 25,185 crore rupees as insurance premium. According to Patel, over 3,855 Farmers Producers Union FPOs have been registered, 22.71 crore Soil Health Cards have been issued, and 11,531 testing laboratories have been approved across the country.

Prahlad Singh Patel stated that the previous government allocated Rs 6,057 crore to the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, but the Modi government increased this by about 136 percent to Rs 15,511 crore. He stated that projects totaling Rs 4710.96 crore have been approved under the Micro Irrigation Fund, covering an area of 17.09 lakh hectares. Aside from that, NABARD has established a micro irrigation fund with an initial investment of Rs 5,000 crore and a corpus fund of Rs 10,000 crore.

Patel also stated that the agricultural credit flow was Rs 7.3 lakh crore during the previous government's tenure, but that the Narendra Modi government has increased it to Rs 18.5 lakh crore in 2022-23. Apart from that, the Kisan Credit Card Scheme benefited 6.46 crore farmers during the previous government's tenure, but it now benefits 9.28 crore farmers.

Patel stated that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India is exporting food grains and setting new records in coarse grains, rice, sugar, milk, and other commodities. He stated that Agri start-ups are making history under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Patel stated that there were only 100 start-ups in the agriculture sector previously, but this number has increased to over 4,000 in the last 7-8 years. He stated that there were only two Mega Food Parks previously, but the number has now increased to 23. Patel stated that India has met the 10% ethanol blending target by 2021-22, well ahead of schedule, resulting in timely payment of over Rs 40,600 crore to farmers.

According to Prahlad Singh Patel, various institutions' reports clearly show that farmers' total inflation-adjusted income has doubled or nearly doubled in many states. He stated that India now ranks first or second in the world in agricultural production, with a record export worth Rs 3.75 lakh crore. He stated that the Modi government's SOP in drone technology would benefit our farmers.