Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed the Lok Sabha that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is giving top priority to increasing farmers’ income and ensuring their financial security.
He highlighted a series of measures including crop diversification, record procurement at MSP, reforms in crop insurance, and strict monitoring systems.
Push for Crop Diversification Away from Tobacco
The minister said the government is encouraging farmers to shift away from tobacco cultivation and adopt more profitable crops.
Suggested alternatives include:
- Hybrid maize
- Chilli
- Sweet potato
- Cotton and potato
- Chia, soybean, and groundnut
- Pulses such as arhar and cowpea
- Millets like ragi and sorghum
This move aims to ensure stable and higher income for farmers.
Integrated Farming Models to Boost Income
Highlighting the challenges of small landholdings, Chouhan said relying on a single crop is risky for most farmers.
To address this, the government is promoting integrated farming models, which combine:
- Food grains like wheat and paddy
- Fruits and vegetables
- Animal husbandry
- Fisheries
- Beekeeping and goat farming
- Agro-forestry
These models help farmers generate year-round stable income.
Record Procurement at MSP
The minister stated that the government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key crops and is undertaking record procurement in the current season.
He added that for pulses like:
- Tur (arhar)
- Masur (lentil)
- Urad
the government is committed to purchasing the entire produce from registered farmers, providing strong support to pulse growers.
Faster and Fair Crop Insurance Claims
Chouhan highlighted major reforms in the crop insurance scheme to ensure timely compensation.
Key changes include:
- Compensation even for individual crop loss
- Mandatory claim settlement within 21 days
- 12% interest penalty for delays by insurers or state governments
These reforms aim to protect farmers from financial distress due to crop damage.
Strict Monitoring and Anti-Corruption Measures
The minister emphasized that the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in agricultural schemes.
Digital platforms such as the Krishi Rakshak Portal are being used to track complaints and ensure accountability, with strict action against any irregularities.
Direct Benefit Transfer Strengthens Support
He also noted that under crop insurance and other schemes, thousands of crores have been transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in states like Rajasthan and others.
This ensures transparency and timely financial assistance.
Strengthening Farmers’ Welfare
The government’s multi-pronged strategy—covering crop diversification, MSP expansion, insurance reforms, and digital monitoring—aims to make agriculture more profitable, secure, and sustainable for farmers across India.
