Even as 80 per cent farmers have been brought under the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Tripura Government is eyeing to expand the scope of the Yojana and reach the unreached farmers. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb flagged off a Publicity Van on PMFBY in Agartala on Thursday ensuring intensive campaign to aware farmers about the benefits of the PMFBY. Later, he exuded confidence that remaining farmers would also come under the PMFBY due to this initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Deb said, a total of 80 per cent of the farmers have been insured. He also said, farmers are our Annadaata and PMFBY aims at securing them for losses due to natural calamities and other such things.
“However, the task is not limited to bringing farmers under the coverage of PMFBY, we have to ensure that affected farmers get proper compensation for their damaged crops”, Deb said and added, compensation of around Rs 2.5 crore has been transferred to bank accounts of 34800 farmers of the State.
In this connection, the Chief Minister also said, under the Kishan Samman Nidhi Scheme, 2 lakh 30 thousand farmers of the State received a total of around Rs 300 crore.
Talking about the paddy procurement, Deb said that farmers’ earnings increased due to the procurement drive at MSP by the State Government. He also mentioned that another round of paddy procurement drive would begin in the State at a higher MSP – Rs 19.40 – from October next.
Reiterating his commitment to double farmers’ earnings, the Chief Minister said, the State Government is striding forward in the right direction to achieve the goal. For the development of the State, farmers have a crucial role and the State Government is working hard.
Among others, Agriculture Minister Pranajit Singha Roy was present in the Publicity Van flagging off programme. Singha Roy explained the purpose of the PMFBY.