Certainly, here’s an article on Bhavantar Yojana:
Bhavantar Yojana: A Game-Changer in Agricultural Marketing
In September 2017, the Madhya Pradesh government launched Bhavantar Yojana, a scheme aimed at protecting farmers’ income. Under this scheme, farmers are paid the difference between the minimum support price (MSP) of their crops and the market price. This scheme was initially launched for seven crops, including soybean, urad, moong, groundnut, maize, til and ramkol.
The scheme was introduced in response to the issue of farmers being unable to sell their produce at the MSP declared by the government. In many cases, farmers were forced to sell their crops at a lower price due to market fluctuations and the implementation of government policies. This led to lower incomes for farmers, causing distress and economic hardship.
Under Bhavantar Yojana, farmers are required to register themselves and their crops with the government. They have to sell their produce at a mandi (market) registered under the scheme. The government then calculates the average market price for the crop for a specific period. If the market price is below the MSP, the government pays the farmer the difference between the MSP and the market price.
The scheme has several benefits for farmers. Firstly, it protects them against fluctuations in market prices. Farmers can receive a guaranteed income, even if the market price for their crop falls below the MSP. Secondly, the scheme ensures that farmers are fairly compensated for their efforts and investment. Thirdly, it encourages farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices and increase productivity, as they can sell their crop at a higher price.
One of the most significant advantages of Bhavantar Yojana is that it promotes transparency and fair competition in agricultural marketing. The scheme encourages the establishment of more mandis, which ensures that farmers have access to multiple markets. This, in turn, prevents the monopoly of traders and promotes competition, leading to better prices for farmers.
Since its launch, the scheme has been widely lauded as a game-changer in agricultural marketing. It has been successful in ensuring that farmers receive a fair price for their crops, leading to increased income and reduced distress. The scheme has also led to a rise in crop yields and marketing efficiency.
In conclusion, Bhavantar Yojana is an innovative scheme that has the potential to transform agricultural marketing in India. It offers a solution to the long-standing issue of farmer distress and the lack of transparency in agricultural markets. The scheme should be replicated in other states to ensure that farmers across the country can benefit from it.