Certainly, here’s an article on Agricultural input grant under Kharif 2019-20 inquiry:
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare recently launched the Agricultural Input Grant under the Kharif season of 2019-20 with the objective of providing financial assistance to farmers for purchasing agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The scheme is designed to help farmers improve their production and income by ensuring timely and adequate input supply.
The Agricultural Input Grant is a part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, which provides financial support to small and marginal farmers through direct benefit transfer of Rs. 6,000 per year per farmer family. The scheme targets farmers who have less than 2 hectares of cultivable land and aims to cover 12 crore farmers across the country.
Under the Agricultural Input Grant, farmers will receive a financial assistance of Rs. 5,000 per farmer family in three installments of Rs. 2,000, Rs. 2,000, and Rs. 1,000 during the Kharif season of 2019-20. The first installment was disbursed on 1st July 2019, the second installment on 1st August 2019, and the third installment on 1st September 2019.
To avail of the Agricultural Input Grant, farmers need to be registered under the PM-KISAN scheme and have a valid bank account linked to their Aadhaar number. They can apply for the grant through their respective state government’s agriculture department or through the Common Service Centres (CSCs) in their area. The grant amount will be directly transferred to the farmer’s bank account through the electronic fund transfer (EFT) facility.
The Agricultural Input Grant is a welcome move by the government to support the farming community, which is facing several challenges such as declining farm incomes, climate variability, and limited access to credit and technology. The provision of timely and adequate agricultural inputs at affordable prices is critical to enhancing farmers’ productivity and income, and ultimately ensuring food security and sustainable development.
However, there are concerns about the implementation of the Agricultural Input Grant, such as the identification of eligible farmers, the transparency of the selection process, and the availability and accessibility of quality inputs. It is important to ensure that the grant reaches the intended beneficiaries in the right quantity and quality, and that it is effectively monitored and evaluated to assess its impact on farm outcomes and farmer welfare.
In conclusion, the Agricultural Input Grant under the Kharif season of 2019-20 is a welcome initiative by the government to provide much-needed financial assistance to farmers for purchasing agricultural inputs. The grant, along with other measures such as soil health cards, irrigation facilities, and crop insurance, can go a long way in improving the livelihoods of farmers and boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability. It is important to ensure that the grant is effectively implemented and monitored to achieve its desired objectives.