The Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme has been implemented for the Rabi season 2016-17 in the entire State, officials informed. The crops covered are wheat, (irrigated) wheat (unirrigated), Alsi, potato and 'Tiwda' and several other crops. Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal directed the Department officials to spread awareness among the farmers regarding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Crop Insurance Scheme during the current Rabi season. Notably, the Chhattisgarh government has set a target of distributing six lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers during the current Rabi season. Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal stated that last year four metric tonnes of fertilizers were distributed during the Rabi season. The Minister said that a sowing target in 18 lakh hectares had been set for the ongoing Rabi season. He said that farmers in the State are taking interest in using bio fertilizers and the Government had also been promoting use of bio fertilizers. The Chhattisgarh Government has also launched schemes to develop Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma and Gariaband as ‘complete organic farming districts’, officials informed. This apart, one development block from each of the other districts will be included under ‘Organic Farming Mission Scheme’. The State Government operates several social welfare schemes through the medium of Co-Operatives. The institutions provide short-term and long-term loans, fertilizers, high-breed seeds and farm equipment, Public Distribution System, housing, fisheries, dairy, forest produce, weavers, mining and horticulture activities are operated, they informed. The socio-economic condition of weaker sections of the society, Dalits, socially and economically oppressed citizens had improved dramatically during the past 16 years. There is visible prosperity  in the lives of poor, rural citizens and farmers, officials stated. Earlier, the farmers had been provided with loans at huge rates of interest. The State Government provides loans at Zero per cent interest rate which brought happiness and transformation in the lives of farmers and artisans. Primary Agriculture Credit Co-Operative Societies had been computerized to make payment as soon as possible. All the 1986 kendras had been computerized. About 59. 28 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured from the 11.10 lakh farmers during the current Kharif season. The State Government had been sanctioning large-scale loans to farmers through these District Co-Operative Central Banks, District Co-operative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks. The capital of the banks had been increased. Long-term credits are provided for the farmers and others for horticulture, fish rearing, silk industry, agriculture forestry, biogas plant and other non-agriculture activities. Source - http://www.dailypioneer.com