PM for soil testing by hand-held devices; calls for involving startups
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, AUG 21, 2017: PRANDHAN Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Soil Health Card Scheme were among the key initiatives of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry of NDA Government. The Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, today reviewed the progress of these two key schemes.
Reviewing the progress, Mr. Modi said that appropriate checks should be undertaken for variation, both within a sampling grid, and across different soil testing labs. This would help to ensure quality in the reports.
The Prime Minister was informed that 16 States or UTs have completed the first cycle of Soil Health Cards distribution, and the remaining States are likely to complete the same within weeks. He also emphasized that soil health cards should be printed in the local dialect of the area, so that the farmers are able to read and understand them easily.
On PMFBY, the Prime Minister was informed that in the Kharif season of 2016, and Rabi season of 2016-17, claims of over Rs. 7700 crore have already been paid, and over 90 lakh farmers have been benefited.
The latest technology including smartphones, remote sensing, satellite data and drones are being used for speedy data collection with regard to crop insurance claims. Encouraging the rapid adoption of latest technology, Mr. Narendra Modi said that soil testing should eventually be possible through hand-held devices. He urged officials to explore the possibility of involving start-ups and entrepreneurs in this exercise.
Senior officials from Ministry of Agriculture, NITI Aayog and PMO were present during the review meeting.
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