With an aim to boost formers’ income, Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala has said the government will soon announce a relief package amid speculations that the Centre is considering various measures to address distress in the farm sector. However, he did not clarify whether the relief package will be part of the upcoming Budget on February 1 or it will be announced before that.
The minister also said the government is focusing on increasing area under cultivation between Rabi (winter-sown) and Kharif (summer-sown) seasons so that farmers income can be increased. He noted that this is the first time a campaign has been initiated to focus on these aspects.
Besides, talking on irrigation, he highlighted that out of about 141 m.Ha of net area sown in the country, about 65 million hectare (or 45%) is presently covered under irrigation. Substantial dependency on rainfall makes cultivation in unirrigated areas a high risk, less productive profession. Empirical evidences suggest that assured or protective irrigation encourages farmers to invest more in farming technology and inputs leading to productivity enhancement and increased farm income. He added that that Government of India is committed to accord high priority to water conservation and its management.