Union Agriculture Minister Announces New Benefits for Farmers
Support for Soybean and Cotton Cultivators
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that soybean and cotton farmers will receive an additional Rs 5,000 per hectare in their bank accounts. This initiative aims to support farmers in Maharashtra, especially in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, known for soybean cultivation.
Increased Import Duty on Edible Oils
The import duty on edible oils from Malaysia and Indonesia has been raised to 27.5%. This measure encourages domestic oil mills to purchase soybeans from local farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices.
Changes in Soybean Procurement
The permissible moisture content in soybeans during procurement has been increased from 12% to 15%, benefiting farmers by allowing more flexibility in crop quality.
Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana
The Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana compensates farmers for the difference between the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the market rate. The government may choose to buy supplies directly or use the MSP to deposit money into farmers’ accounts.
Support for Other Crops
For crops like potatoes, onions, and tomatoes, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will set a model rate, offering a 50% profit on production costs. This helps farmers avoid losses when retail prices are low.
Transportation Cost Relief
The government will cover transportation costs that farmers previously paid, further easing their financial burden.
These measures come as Maharashtra prepares for Assembly polls on November 20, highlighting the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Doubts Revealed
Union Agriculture Minister -: The Union Agriculture Minister is a person in the Indian government who is responsible for making decisions and policies related to farming and agriculture in the whole country.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan -: Shivraj Singh Chouhan is a politician in India who has served in various important roles, including as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He is currently the Union Agriculture Minister.
Soybean and Cotton Farmers -: These are farmers who grow soybean and cotton plants. Soybean is used for making oil and other products, while cotton is used to make clothes.
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in the western part of India. It is known for its big cities like Mumbai and Pune, and also for its agriculture.
Rs 5,000 per hectare -: This means that the government will give farmers an extra 5,000 rupees for every hectare of land they use to grow crops. A hectare is a unit of area used to measure land.
Import duties -: Import duties are taxes that the government charges on goods brought into the country from other countries. Increasing these duties makes imported goods more expensive.
Edible oils -: Edible oils are oils that we can eat, like cooking oil. They are used in preparing food.
Malaysia and Indonesia -: Malaysia and Indonesia are countries in Southeast Asia. They are known for producing a lot of palm oil, which is a type of edible oil.
Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana -: This is a government scheme in India that helps farmers by paying them the difference if the market price of their crops is lower than a certain amount.
Assembly polls -: Assembly polls are elections held in a state to choose representatives for the state’s legislative assembly, which makes laws and decisions for the state.
