Imagine a digital marketplace for farmers, using which any farmer in any corner of the country can instantly sell their agri-products to any buyer, there by controlling the price and profits.
This is no more a fiction, as PM Modi is all set to revolutionize agriculture in India, by linking it with Digital India mission, and thereby enabling a platform which will empower our farmers.
While speaking at a rally in Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi said, “We are setting up a National Agriculture Market, a virtual and digital platform, in the coming days,”
This unique virtual marketplace will be launched on April 14th, on Ambedkar Jayanti.
As per studies conducted by Reuters, 94% of farmers in India are dependent on fellow farmers for information related with price of crops (which is often biased), sellers’ information while only 4% rely on TV/Radio while 3% depend on Govt. appointed officers.
However, with the rapid, exponential expansion of mobiles and Internet pan-India, Government is now laying the foundation of a Digital based support system, and this is the best thing to have happened to Indian farmers.
Considering that middlemen take away 47% of the price of rice, 25% of the price of groundnuts and 60% of the price of the potatoes, the new Digital Marketplace will be a blessing for our farmers.
As per reports emerging, Government has allocated a massive budget of Rs 200 crore for creating one of its kind National Agriculture Market online trading portal, which will connect 585 mandis all over the country.
In that speech, PM Modi said that Government is aiming to double farmers’ income by 2022, which would be 75th year of Indian independence.
Steps To Assist Farmers
Besides, Government has also announced the approval of ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, which will greatly benefit the farmers in selling and procuring crops by introducing a unique insurance scheme. For instance, a premium of 2% of the sum insured will be charged from farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops, which means that in case monsoon fails, the farmer will be able to absorb the loss. (More details here)
As per studies, farmer suicides are mainly driven by failure of crop production due to less rain, and this insurance scheme would be taking this issue heads-on.
PM said, “We have covered entire anticipated farm income under the scheme. Even in case a farmer fails to till his fields due to drought-like conditions, he will be compensated to a certain extent,”
14 crore farmers would be covered under this scheme.
PM also stressed on the need to introduce more technology into farming, for making the industry more productive; and also called for startups for introducing solutions in this sector.
Do you think entrepreneurs can contribute to the success of farming by launching startups in this sector? Has Indian entrepreneurs contributed much to farming despite the hype of startups and easy funding? Do share your views by commenting right here.
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