Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday listed 30 dipped-in-statistics points by way of achievements of his ministry in the 30 months of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, while brushing aside questions on farm distress, slump in agricultural prices and the need for India to have imported wheat. Singh is also the minister for farmers' welfare.
Addressing a news conference to talk of what he called “New Steps, Progressive steps”, Singh gave out statistics on the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and said that the rise in the numbers from 309 lakh farmers in 2015 to 366.64 lakhs in 2016 indicated that the scheme worked for them.
Referring to Modi's pet scheme of soil health card, the agriculture minister said that as of date, 2.33 crore soil samples had been collected, as against a target of 2.53 crores by the end of March next year, indicating a high rate. The previous government had in 2013-14 sanctioned only 15 soil testing labs, while they had sanctioned 460, besides 400 mini labs, he explained.
He spoke on the integration of 250 mandis with the e-NAM(National Agriculture Market) portal, the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, development of bee keeping, neem coated urea etc.
Asked why the country had to import wheat if productivity had gone up, the minister said he was not Nirmala Sitharaman, meaning the Commerce minister. Asked why the farm prices were crashing leading to protests and farmers' refusal to harvest, Singh, in typical BJP style, said “Thank you” , and left the press conference venue.
