During the lockdown and pandemic situation, the agriculture and farming sector has been functioning smoothly. The Government of India has taken all the necessary measures to ensure smooth sowing operations during pre-monsoon and monsoon periods.
All the necessary exemptions were allowed for agricultural activities during the lockdown period.
On August 31, the growth real in real Gross Value Added (GVA) of Agriculture & Allied sectors is 3.4 percent in the First Quarter. This is according to the Provisional Estimates of National Income 2019-2020 by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
There is also a provision of assistance to agricultural laborers and others under MGNREGA and PMGKAY.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, about 10.19 crore farmer families have been benefitted. The government also released about Rs. 94,1305 crores under the scheme. During the lockdown period, there was also disbursement of Rs. 41086 crores to various beneficiaries. This is under the scheme covering various installments.
The Government also has the facility of Kisan Credit Card to the farmers to invest in crops and animal husbandry and fisheries. Now the beneficiary farmers of the PM-KISAN Scheme are also getting the facilities of Kisan Credit Card. There is no requirement of mortgage to avail loan up to Rs. 1.60 lakh.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), total claims of Rs 5,326.7 crores were paid during the lockdown period. The PMFBY was made more efficient and farmer-friendly and made voluntary for all farmers.
The Government of India will now bear 90 percent of premium subsidy liability for the North-Eastern states. There is a further benefit of 2 percent Interest Subvention (IS) to Banks. Also, there is a 3 percent Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) to all farmers for all crop loans up to Rs. 3 lakhs.
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