<span style="color: #222222;">In a recent episode of the program Spotlight on Akashvani, a comprehensive discussion took place regarding India's remarkable progress in doubling farmers' income. The esteemed panel consisted of Dr. K C Bansal, Secretary of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Nilay Ranjan, an accomplished Agriculture Expert. The conversation was moderated by Rajesh Lekh, an Akashvani Correspondent.<br />”<br />”The discussion commenced by highlighting the government's unwavering commitment to reducing input costs, increasing agricultural production, and ultimately enhancing farmers' income.<br />”<br />”Nilay Ranjan proceeded to shed light on the various initiatives implemented over the past eight years. Notably, he emphasized the Income Support Scheme PM Kisan, which provides farmers with annual support of ?6,000, disbursed in three equal installments. A remarkable sum of over ?2.24 lakh crore has been released to 11 crore farmers, offering vital financial assistance, particularly to small and marginal farmers. Nilay also underscored the significance of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which has received over 38 crore farmer applications and processed approximately 12.37 crore claims, safeguarding farmers against risks associated with rainfed agriculture.<br />”<br />”Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted in 2016 to examine issues related to doubling farmers' income. The committee aimed to enhance productivity, a crucial aspect of India's agrarian-based economy, with the objective of doubling farmers' income. The importance of increasing farmers' income was highlighted, emphasizing the need for all possible measures to achieve this goal.<br />”<br />”The government's decision to fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at one and a half times the cost of production was also emphasized. This approach has significantly benefited farmers, leading to a substantial increase in MSP for various crops such as paddy and wheat. Additionally, the promotion of organic farming, which has witnessed growing demand in both domestic and international markets, was highlighted as it provides farmers with higher income opportunities.<br />”<br />”The National Agriculture Market, commonly known as E-NAM, was brought to attention as well. Nilay Ranjan emphasized its pivotal role in integrating 1,260 Mandis across 22 states and 3 union territories. With over 1.75 crore farmers and 2.37 lakh traders registered on the platform, E-NAM has facilitated the trading of diverse agricultural commodities, granting farmers access to larger markets and the ability to negotiate fair prices.<br />”<br />”The discussion also acknowledged the significant role of technology in enhancing farm yield and augmenting farmers' income. It highlighted the potential of genetically modified (GM) crops to empower plants with resistance to pests, diseases, and the ability to utilize resources more efficiently, resulting in increased crop productivity and reduced input costs. The positive impact of Genome Editing Technology in developing crops that require less water and other inputs was also discussed, contributing to doubling farmers' profitability.<br />”<br />”Lastly, the conversation concluded by highlighting the contributions of the startup ecosystem in agriculture and allied sectors. It acknowledged the multitude of startups working towards mechanization, better agricultural practices, and efficient processing, providing farmers with essential support and connecting them to larger markets.<br />”<br />”The full discussion can be listened at&nbsp;</span><a href="https://youtu.be/MqnFv7nuzWU" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/MqnFv7nuzWU&source=gmail&ust=1685459187172000&usg=AOvVaw1xouK-xIPPDBDmha1_Mee_">https://youtu.be/MqnFv7nuzWU</a><br />