Schemes launched to encourage farming

The details of the schemes were shared by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai at Sahyadri Guest House on Friday. He was speaking at the launch of several schemes to provide financial assistance to economically backward entrepreneurs under the Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Entrepreneurship and Skill Development campaign being implemented by the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department

Mumbai: The State government launched four schemes for farmers and other persons including small businessmen and youths to promote farming and cluster farming.

The details of the schemes were shared by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai at Sahyadri Guest House on Friday. He was speaking at the launch of several schemes to provide financial assistance to economically backward entrepreneurs under the Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Entrepreneurship and Skill Development campaign being implemented by the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department.

Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, Minister Eknath Shinde and other ministers were present for the event. Speaking at the event, Fadnavis said this is for the first time that around 2.82 lakh farmers and youths will be trained in advanced farming skills which will help them in fetching higher output in farming.

The schemes include personal loan interest refund scheme, group project loan interest refund scheme, group project loan scheme and the Shetkari Kushal Yojana. “We started using urea in 1906 for farming and even after 112 years, we have not found an alternative. There is need for scientific and experimental farming to increase the quality and quantity of the produce,” Fadnavis said.

The farmers and youths will be provided two months’ theoretical training and one-month practical training.

Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said the four schemes being implemented would generate jobs, adding that nearly 2.5 lakh farmers and youths would be provided skill development training for self-employment and business. “Under this, training in 34 farm-related study programmes including sowing and increasing agricultural productivity has been included,” added Patil.

Speaking on the issue of Maratha reservation, Fadnavis said his government had acted positively on the Maratha reservation issue and the matter was now in court.

About the 4 schemes:

• Personal loan interest refund scheme: One person from one family can avail the benefits which are applicable for farming, small and medium enterprises and some others.
• Group project loan interest refund scheme: Applicable for farming, small and medium enterprises, the government approved small saving groups and cooperative organisations. To avail the benefits the applicant should not have availed benefits of Mahamandals.
• Group project loan scheme: For the age group 18 to 41 years of age. Applicant should be resident of Maharashtra and should not have an annual income of more than Rs 8 lakh.
• Shetkari Kushal Yojana: Training to be provided to farmers and youths for business and self-employment.