Union Cabinet Extends Farmer Welfare Schemes, Uttarakhand CM Lauds Decision

By A Staff Reporter

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday commended the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for its approval to extend key agricultural welfare schemes aimed at supporting farmers across the country.

The continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) until 2025-26 was hailed as a pivotal decision to provide financial security to farmers in the event of crop losses caused by natural disasters.

"The Union Cabinet's decision is highly commendable. These welfare schemes will protect farmers from uncertainties and ensure they continue to cultivate without financial worries," Dhami said in a statement issued by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office.

Additionally, the government approved a one-time special package to extend support for di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer beyond the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS). The package, set to last from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, is expected to ensure the consistent and affordable availability of DAP to farmers.

"Affordable and continuous availability of fertilizers like DAP will bolster agricultural productivity and benefit the farming community immensely," Dhami remarked, underlining the importance of fertilizers in maintaining high yields.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, introduced in 2016, is designed to mitigate risks and provide comprehensive coverage to farmers against crop failures. Meanwhile, ensuring the availability of fertilizers like DAP is vital to meeting the growing demands of the agricultural sector.