Sachin Malik Lucknow: Under the leadership of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the State Agricultural Produce Market Council has revised the Gifts distributed under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Uphaar Yojana to make the Scheme more useful for farmers and Provide them with Greater assistance in agricultural activities. Accordingly, the list of Gifts distributed to farmers through a lucky draw has been modified. The Primary objective of the revision is to Provide farmers with equipment that can be used in farming and other agriculture-related Activities.
Jitendra Pratap Singh, Director of the State Agricultural Produce Market Council, Stated that certain Gifts currently being distributed under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Uphaar Yojana will be replaced with agricultural machinery and equipment. A meeting of the committee constituted for this Purpose was held to discuss the utility of the Gifts and the arrangements for their distribution. Under the revised Provisions, a three-horsepower fodder-cutting machine will be Provided in Place of a 43-inch LED television. This will also help farmers with livestock-related Activities.
Fodder-Cutting Machines to Replace Televisions
At Present, a 43-inch television is Given as the second Prize under the Scheme. It will now be replaced with a three-horsepower fodder-cutting machine, with an estimated cost of ₹30,000 Per unit. Three such Gifts will be distributed in each division. The machine will make it easier for farmers to Prepare fodder for their livestock and help reduce manual labour.
Pumping Sets and Power Sprayers Also Included
An eight-horsepower Pumping set will continue to be awarded as the first Prize. Its estimated cost is ₹55,000 Per unit, and two Such Gifts will be Provided in each division. A Power sprayer will also remain on the list of Gifts, with an estimated cost of ₹5,000 Per Unit.
Changes in the Categories of Gifts
The following arrangements have been made for the different categories of Gifts under the Scheme:
-First Prize: A 35-horsepower Tractor.
-Second Prize: Small tractors with a capacity of less than 20 horsepower have been included in Place of the Existing 900-litre-capacity Power tillers (11 KW) and equipment with a capacity of 13.7 HP.
-Third Prize: A 100cc motorcycle has been included in Place of equipment such as Power tillers and Reapers.
-Fourth Prize: A Solar Power Pack System has been included as a Gift.
Decision Taken on the Committee Recommendations
The committee constituted for the Purpose examined various Challenges encountered during the distribution of Gifts. Based on its recommendations, it was decided to retain the tractor as the first Prize While revising the Procurement and distribution arrangements for the other Gifts. Instructions have also been issued to Prepare a revised framework for the Gifts distributed under the half-Yearly draws and bumper draws of the Mukhyamantri Krishak Uphaar Yojana, keeping their Practical utility in Mind.
To Provide relief and support to farmers and agricultural Produce traders, the State Agricultural Produce Market Council has introduced Provisions for Supplying agricultural resources under various Schemes. According to the council documents, farmers will be Provided with free Plastic crates, While traders will receive Plastic Sheets. Scholarships have also been arranged for Students Pursuing agricultural education, along with financial assistance in cases of accidents or fire incidents within market Premises.
Under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Chhatravritti Yojana, the Scholarship amount for Students Graduating from agricultural universities, agricultural institutes and agricultural colleges has been increased from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000.
Farmers to Receive Free Plastic Crates
Under the Market Council Scheme, Plastic crates will be Provided to farmers to help Preserve the Quality of agricultural Produce during harvesting and transportation. Priority will be Given to farmers Who use crates from the time fruits and vegetables are harvested. Distribution targets have been fixed for each market committee based on the number of Farmers.
In Category A markets, 500 farmers will receive four crates each, amounting to a total of 2,000 crates. In Category B markets, 250 farmers will receive four crates each, totalling 1,000 crates. In Category C markets, 200 farmers will receive a total of 800 crates, While in Category D markets, 150 farmers will receive a total of 600 Crates.
Thus, a total of 4,400 Plastic crates are Proposed to be distributed across these four categories of Markets.
The objective of these initiatives is to support farmers, traders and Students Pursuing agricultural education at different levels. While the distribution of Plastic crates and Sheets is expected to facilitate the handling and Preservation of agricultural Produce, Scholarship Schemes and accident-related assistance can Provide financial support to Eligible Beneficiaries.
Farmers and other Eligible beneficiaries can contact their respective market committees to obtain information regarding eligibility criteria, application Procedures and the assistance available under these Schemes.
