Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday said that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana managed to bring 102.60 lakh non-loanee farmers under its umbrella since it was launched early this year. At a press conference to inform about achievements of his ministry in last 30 months, he said "About 309 lakh farmers of 23 states had been covered under Fasal Bima during previous Kharif Season 2015, in which 294 lakh farmers were loanee and 15 lakh farmers were non-loanee. During Kharif 2016, however, 366.64 lakh farmers have been covered, out of which 264.04 lakh farmers are loanee and 102.60 lakh farmers are non-loanee." The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana has been implemented by 21 states during Kharif season. Singh also said that in-principle approval to integrate 399 markets with e-National Agriculture Market (eNAM), which aims to to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities, was given and Rs 93 crore were released for it. He said that 12.74 lakh hectare was brought under micro irrigation under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana during 2014-16, which was an increase of 200 percent compared to period 2013-14, when 4.3 lakh hectare was so covered. "Also, honey production has increased from 1,48,450 MT during 2012-14 to 2,63,930 MT during 2014-16 which is an increase of 78 percent," Singh added. Singh said several mobile apps were launched for the welfare of farmers. These apps are Kisan Suvidha, PUSA Agriculture, Agri Market, Crop Insurance and Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE). He also said that the Narendra Modi government also brought jute, sugarcane, cotton & aoarse cereals under National Food Security Mission, which till 2013-14, only focussed on rice, wheat & pulses. "In year 2016-17, demonstrations of new techniques for pulse production are being carried out in 31,000 hectares by 534 Agriculture Science Centers through ICAR & State Agriculture Universities and Rs 25.29 crore were allocated for this purpose," Singh said. He said that annual milk production has increased by 6.3 percent during 2015-16, while fish production increased from 186.12 lakh tonnes during 2012-14 to 209.59 tonnes during 2014-16, or an increase of Rs.12.61 percent. "Egg production is now increasing by 5.66 percent annually. In comparison to 2012-14 during 2014-16 egg production growth rate is 10.99 percent. Annual egg production rate is 5 percent. Per person availability of egg has reached 66." Singh also said that there were no adverse effects of demonetisation on agriculture. "Before demonetisation the average sale of milk per day was Rs 64.55 crore. After demonetisation it has increased to Rs 74.25 crore per day in November-December. Also for Mother Dairy, average sale has been increased from 28.06 lakh litre to 29.61 lakh litre per day," he said. He also pointed at sale of milk under Delhi Milk Scheme, which have seen average sales increasing from 2.7 lakh litre to 2.76 litre after the demonetisation. Source - http://www.business-standard.com