Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh on 23rd January said that government is planning to link 22000 mandis across India with the National Agriculture Market or e-NAM, an online trading platform for agricultural commodities by FY22.
At a conference organised by Crop Care Federation of India, Singh said "Already 585 mandis have been linked with e-NAM and now government is planning to link 22,000 mandis across the nation by 2021-22”.
He added that the government is executing several programmes for the development of agricultural sector and improvement of economic condition of the farmers.
He also said, "Issues like reducing cost of production, guaranteeing remunerative price for farmers' produce, stopping wastage and ensuring alternative sources of income are being addressed in mission mode”.
Singh said if the government, farmers and industry work together then many challenges can be conquered.
He added that "Government has been working with the industry to help farmers tackle the challenges faced by them however there is a need to speed up the support".
The minister said the budgetary expenses of the Agriculture Ministry has been raised to Rs 2,11,694 crore during 2014-19, to develop and execute schemes to improve the farmers' situation in India.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is one such scheme that aims to decrease the risks associated with farming, is being implemented across the country. Moreover the upcoming Union Budget 2019 will be dedicated to the farmers of the country, Singh told media.
