The main objective is to advance sustainable farming for the overall welfare and economic advancement of farmers. States will be encouraged under the PM-PRANAM (Programme for Restoration, Awareness generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) to support alternative fertilisers and a balanced use of chemical fertilisers. The majority of the package is designated for a three-year (2022-23 to 2024-25) urea subsidy.
Source: News on AIR
In ‘food bowl’ areas like Punjab, where wheat output has decreased recently, over use of chemical fertilisers has had a negative impact on soil fertility. Concurrently, the state’s per-acre wheat production has decreased. A positive step forward is the Market Development Assistance scheme, which would give a subsidy of Rs 1,500 per metric tonne to encourage the sale of organic fertilisers.
Making natural/organic farming profitable for the farmers is a problem for the federal government and the states. Chemical fertilisers’ organic alternatives must be practical in terms of availability, cost, and effectiveness. To achieve self-sufficiency in fertiliser supply and price stability, local production needs to be increased.
Source: ANI News
No matter if there is a glut or a crop failure in conventional farming, extreme weather events and price swings make farmers susceptible. Even though there is an MSP system for important commodities, farmers sometimes do not receive a fair price for their output. When it comes to organic products, which need a distinct infrastructure for storage and upholding quality requirements, the danger is considerably greater. More government assistance may encourage farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
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