Should all subsidies be transferred directly to farmers' accounts?

New Delhi, May 26 (NationPress) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized on Monday that a tangible rise in farmers’ income will occur when every kind of support, including fertiliser subsidies, is credited directly to their accounts.

“The government is committed to assisting farmers in every conceivable manner — the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi is already being directly transferred to farmers’ accounts. It is crucial that all other forms of assistance are also deposited directly, as this would provide immense benefits,” he stated.

He called upon the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to publish a detailed report on the subject to maximize farmer benefits.

While speaking at the ‘Agri-Industry Conclave’ in Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh, Dhankhar remarked, “In the United States, a farmer's family's earnings surpass the average household income. A significant factor contributing to this is the direct government aid they receive. In our nation, while there is a vast subsidy on fertilisers and many other important aids, these are distributed indirectly. If these were provided directly to farmers, I estimate each farmer could receive a minimum of Rs 35,000 annually,” he conveyed.

“Agriculture transcends mere economics. It is intricately linked to industry, and the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has taken the significant step of organizing the agri-industry conclave. A considerable portion of our population relies on agriculture,” he added.

Highlighting the economic strides made over the past decade, Dhankhar stated, “India has made remarkable economic progress. We have transitioned from a fragile global position to becoming the fourth-largest economy in the world, having surpassed France, England, and Japan. Our next target is Germany, as we aim to become the third-largest global superpower shortly. This is evident in the rapid expansion of infrastructure across the nation.”

Emphasizing the importance of fostering agri-entrepreneurship, he said, “Farmers need to evolve as entrepreneurs in the agricultural landscape. I refer to them as ‘agripreneurs’ — we require millions of agripreneurs in our nation to spearhead the marketing of agricultural products, enhance the value of agri-produce, and excel in dairy, vegetable, and fruit production. It is encouraging to observe society rallying behind farmers. There are 730 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Agricultural Science Centres) across the country and numerous institutions under ICAR, all of which are now proactive and engaged.”

In praising the initiatives of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav regarding livestock enhancement, Dhankhar remarked, “The measures taken by the Chief Minister, particularly in dairy, livestock, vegetables, and fruits — we should strive to lead globally in these domains. The time isn’t far when farmers will innovate beyond just milk, producing items like curd, buttermilk, ice cream, and even rasgullas as new technologies emerge.”

He also commended the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces for executing Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

“Never before in history has a Prime Minister conveyed such a powerful message — from Bihar — to the world, asserting that those who erase sindoor (a symbol of marital dignity) have no right to exist on Earth,” he stated.

“The determination of India’s Prime Minister is akin to that of an iron man. Now, every citizen is brimming with national pride and committed to the national interest,” he concluded.