Rajasthan Hosts Agri Pre-Summit to Boost Agricultural Investments

Key Highlights

• Rajasthan’s Agri pre-summit focuses on agriculture and food processing investments.
• New Sahkari Gopal Credit Card Yojana offers Rs 1 lakh in interest-free loans for farmers.
• Farmers must insure livestock and get life insurance for loan protection.
• Overseas training for 100 young farmers in advanced agriculture techniques.
• State plans alternative training locations due to West Asia conflicts.

Rajasthan organized an Agri pre-summit on October 24 as part of the Rising Rajasthan initiative, focusing on attracting investments to agriculture and food processing, which together contribute nearly 27% of the state's GDP.

Also Read: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Discusses Key Agricultural Issues and MSP Hike with Farmers

Focus on Agriculture and Food Processing at Pre-Summit

The Bhajan Lal Sharma government recently launched the Rajasthan Sahkari Gopal Credit Card Yojana to improve cash flow for farming families. Similar to the Kisan Credit Card, this new scheme provides interest-free, short-term loans of up to Rs 1 lakh for developing cattle sheds and purchasing fodder and dairy equipment. Loan repayments are required within 12 equal monthly installments.

As part of this scheme, farmers are required to insure their animals and obtain life insurance equal to the loan amount. This measure is intended to safeguard farmers financially.

Training Program for Progressive Farmers

The state government also introduced a Knowledge Enhancement Programme in this year’s Budget. Under this initiative, 100 progressive young farmers from Rajasthan will receive training abroad in advanced agricultural methods. So far, 75 farmers have been selected by the horticulture department, with the remaining 25 to be chosen soon.

Of the total participants, 80 farmers will specialize in agriculture, while 20 will focus on dairy and animal husbandry. These farmers will travel to countries like the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Israel for a 5-7 day training program, where they will learn about innovations in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Also Read: Rajasthan Government Offers Gypsum Subsidy for Farmers: Boost Crop Yields Now

Learning Global Innovations

To encourage growth in the agricultural sector, this training program provides farmers with exposure to international techniques and technologies. This hands-on experience will inspire farmers to bring innovative practices back to Rajasthan, fostering knowledge-sharing within the agricultural community.

Due to ongoing conflicts in West Asia, the visit to Israel may be delayed, and the state government is also considering some alternative countries to ensure the program stays on track.

Also Read: Government Ensures Steady DAP Supply for Rabi 2024 Amid Media Concerns

Through initiatives like the Agri pre-summit and overseas training programs, Rajasthan aims to create a strong agricultural ecosystem that attracts investments, enhances productivity, and ensures the welfare of farmers across the state.