Haryana government launched first of its kind Toll free number for farmers

The Haryana government would soon launch a toll free number for farmers where they can inform about damage caused to crops due to natural calamities.

Facts :

• A toll-free ''tele agriculture helpline", the first of its kind in the country, will be launched in Haryana to facilitate farmers.
• Through this toll free number, the farmers can inform about damage caused to crops due to natural calamities to the concerned authorities and also with this farmers will be able to seek expert on crops and related issues.
• All the farmers can get information about damage caused to crops due to natural calamities such as hailstorms and water logging within 48 hours to the concerned Deputy Director Agriculture, Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) or Tehsildar, who would sort out the situation and inform the insurance company.
• A demo of toll free number was provided by financial commissioner and secretary naseem ahmed by dialling 1600-331663 from Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi, and talked to Hisar Agriculture University vice-chancellor Vinay kumar, and deputy director general of Indian council of agricultural research (ICAR) JC Katyal. Ahmed enquire about the steps to be taken to control heliothis armigera in gram crop and the problem of bolting in onion crop, particularly during kharif season.
• Initially this service would be operative in Hisar agriculture university campus for two days a week (monday and friday) and scientists of 12 different disciplines would be available at telephone no 1600-331663 from 1000 to 1200 hours.Later the service will be available for five days a week.
• The state government has provided Rs 5 lakh to Hisar agriculture university for starting this service.
• State agriculture Director Rajeev Arora said that the ''tele agriculture helpline" would also be started from regional centres at Bawal and Uchani.
• The telephones would be provided at all the centres and the telephone numbers of these centres would be publicised for the benefit of the farmers.
• Technological changes were taking place at a fast pace and as such diffusion of innovations through extension scientists should also be fast and the communication of technology to the right person at the right time was important.
• Till now, only the Central Government has made available such toll free number.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana :

• The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is proving many great benefits to the farmers. The Central Government had launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for the welfare of the farmers of the state.
• Under this scheme, the central government provides crop insurance to the farmers in order to save them from crop damage loses.
• During last three years, the State Government has distributed Rs 932 crore under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to around 3 lakh farmers.
• PMFBY is proving to be a boon for the farmers.
   

By: Harman Sandhu