Farmers in Uttar Pradesh to Get RuPay Credit Card From Government

Lucknow, June 6: The Uttar Pradesh government will provide RuPay credit cards to 90 lakh small and marginal farmers. The farmers could avail the facility of agriculture loan with these cards. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the ways and means to improve farmers’ income were discussed in a divisional Kharif produce meeting that was held on Monday. Agriculture produce commissioner of the state, Raj Pratap Singh pointed out that 90 lakh small and marginal farmers in the state have no access to agriculture loans.

According to Singh, the state government will seek the help of NABARD to provide RuPay credit cards to farmers. District magistrates will provide the list of these farmers by June 30 to distribute the cards by the first week of July. Neeti Ayog has supported contract farming. The agriculture produce commissioner was not in favour of declaring agriculture as an industry, because it would deprive farmers of benefits of rebate, subsidies and income tax.

A three-layer policy has been formulated for stray livestock in the state, reported Hindustan Times, referring to what principal secretary, dairy development, Sudhir M Bobde had said. According to the report, in short-term policy, livestock less than three months of age will be castrated whereas, in mid-term policy, cow shelters will be established in the districts to keep stray animals. The government has also allocated Rs. 32 crore for achieving the purpose. In long-term policy, quality breeding of livestock is undertaken. For this, classified semen centres will be opened and a similar centre will be established in Babugarh of district Hapur.

Principal Secretary, Sugar industry and sugarcane development Sanjay R Bhoosareddy assured farmers of providing payment of sugarcane dues. According to the report, 16 out of total 119 sugar mills of the state are still operational. Principal secretary, agriculture, Amit Mohan Prasad said that ‘Kisan Pathak’ will be organised for farmers in two phases, beginning from June 21, to update them with new technologies and other aspects required for better farming. For increasing the production, the Commissioner of Meerut division highlighted the need of multiple cropping and soil testing. Farmers from different districts of Meerut and Saharanpur divisions were present in the meeting.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2018 05:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).