In a bid to inspire the farmers of the district to enrol in a specially designed scheme to reap benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Cachar in association Assam Agricultural University organised a farmer’s fair cum awareness meeting at the District Library auditorium on Tuesday. It may be mentioned that the scheme marked the official beginning of the crop insurance scheme in Cachar. The crop insurance scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13 this year ensures maximum insurance cover at minimum insurance for the welfare of the farmers. JJ Bhattacharjee, lead district manager informed that the scheme envisages a uniform premium of only two per cent to be paid by farmers for kharif crops, and 1.5 per cent for Rabi crops. Further, the premium for annual commercial and horticultural crops will be five per cent. Expressing concerns on the plight of the farmers, PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said that this scheme has the solution to problems the farmers face. He urged the banks to step up to extend assistance to the farmers. Taking a dig at the corrupt practices in the irrigation and agricultural sectors in the past, Parimal said that efforts must be made to create a corruption-free environment which facilitates farmers to produce more and get better returns. “Farmer suicide in India is a major cause of concern. We must combat the crisis by extending cooperation towards the farmers who toil hard to give us food,” Suklabaidya said. He also gave away the Soil health Cards to ten farmers in the meeting. Sonai MLA Aminul Haque Laskar echoed the PWD minister’s observation saying that the financial institutions must encourage the farmers to be a part of the scheme. Earlier, Silchar MP Susmita Dev said that there are apprehensions about double cropping in the district but she hoped that the new government in the State will lay thrust on the agriculture sector. She also expressed concern over the rise of farmer suicide cases in the country and said, “I shall urge the Finance Minister to facilitate loan waver for the farmers.” Dr Pranab Jyoti Sarma, programme coordinator KVK, Cachar, gave the welcome speech underscoring the agenda of the farmer fair and Jakir Hussain Choudhury, Agriculture Office, Cachar pointed out the damage done to the crops in the recent flash floods in the district. Madhumita Choudhury, DDC Cachar also attended the meeting. Later, the bankers and officials from the insurance companies interacted with the farmers. Source - http://www.assamtribune.com