Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers as he hailed the Union Cabinet’s recent decisions to extend key agricultural schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the restructured weather-based Crop Insurance Scheme, as well as the continuation of a one-time special package on di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) subsidy.
“Ours is a Government fully committed to furthering welfare of farmers. We are proud of all our farmer sisters and brothers who work hard to feed our nation. The first Cabinet of 2025 is dedicated to enhancing prosperity for our farmers. I am glad that key decisions have been taken in this regard,” PM Modi stated in a post on X.
“The Cabinet decision on extending the One-time Special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate will help our farmers by ensuring DAP at affordable prices,” he added.
Key Cabinet Decisions:
- Extension of DAP Subsidy:
- The one-time special package on DAP subsidy beyond the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) has been extended from January 1 to December 31, 2025 to ensure sustainable availability of DAP at affordable prices.
- The tentative budgetary requirement for this initiative is estimated at ₹3,850 crore.
- Continued Crop Insurance Schemes:
- The PMFBY and Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme will continue until 2025-26, with an overall outlay of ₹69,515.71 crore.
- These schemes provide risk coverage against non-preventable natural calamities, ensuring financial security for farmers.
- Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT):
- The Cabinet approved a corpus of ₹824.77 crore under FIAT to introduce technology-driven initiatives such as:
- Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH): Leveraging remote sensing technology for yield estimation, currently being implemented in nine major states, with plans to expand.
- Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS): Aiming to establish hyper-local weather monitoring with Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs).
- The Cabinet approved a corpus of ₹824.77 crore under FIAT to introduce technology-driven initiatives such as:
- Flexible Fund Allocation for Northeastern States:
- Efforts are being made to prioritize northeastern states for crop insurance coverage. Unused funds can be reallocated to other developmental projects if needed.
Reactions from Leaders:
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated, “The development of agriculture and the welfare of farmers is the topmost priority of the central government.”
- Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami applauded the decisions, emphasizing that they would provide financial security to farmers against crop losses due to natural disasters and ensure the availability of affordable fertilizers to boost agricultural production.
These measures reaffirm the government’s focus on enhancing farmer welfare, leveraging technology, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices across India.