Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday digitally transferred a total amount of more than Rs 20,500 crore to the accounts of more than 9 crore 71 lakh farmers of the country under the 20th instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi from Varanasi.

Under this, an amount of Rs 184.25 crore was transferred to 8,28,787 beneficiary farmer families of Uttarakhand.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated virtually in this program from Garhi Cantt, Dehradun.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously working to double the income of the farmers and raise their standard of living. With the release of the 20th installment of the scheme, an amount of more than Rs 3300 crore has been provided to the farmers of Uttarakhand.

He said that after 2014, historic steps have been taken towards the welfare of the farmers of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

'By increasing the minimum support price on major crops, farmers are being provided a fair price for their crop. Through the 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana', farmers are also being provided security cover for losses caused by natural disasters, crop diseases and pests. Through the 'Soil Health Card' scheme, by scientifically examining the soil of the fields, farmers are also being informed about the deficiency of nutrients and necessary fertilizers, which is improving both the quality of their produce and the fertility of the land,' CM Dhami said.

Chief Minister Dhami said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the state government is continuously working for the upliftment and prosperity of the farmers of the state.

'Loans up to Rs 3 lakh are being made available to farmers in the state without interest. Up to 80 percent subsidy is also being provided through the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme for purchasing agricultural equipment. Irrigation from canals has been made completely free in the interest of farmers. A provision of Rs 200 crore has also been made for the construction of polyhouses to increase the income of farmers. Along with providing a bonus of Rs 20 per quintal to farmers on wheat purchase, the price of sugarcane has also been increased by Rs 20 per quintal,' he said.

The Chief Minister said that many important schemes like the new apple policy, the kiwi policy, the 'State Millet Mission' and the 'Dragon Fruit Policy' have been implemented by the state government at a cost of Rs 1200 crore. Under these policies, a subsidy of up to 80 per cent is being provided to farmers to promote horticulture.

He said that Uttarakhand got the first place in the country in achieving the goals of sustainable development issued by NITI Aayog. 'The state has also emerged as a leader in providing employment to the youth of Uttarakhand state. The unemployment rate was reduced by 4.4 per cent in one year. Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement the 'Uniform Civil Code'. After implementing an effective anti-copying law in the state, about 24 thousand youth have been provided government jobs.'

Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi said that Uttarakhand was awarded the 'Best State in Millet Sector' award for the year 2023-24 at the International Nutri-Cereal Convention held in Hyderabad.

The state has received national honours from the Government of India for excellent work in the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme and the organic agriculture sector. He said that farmer Harsh Singh Dangwal of village Sunkiya in Nainital received the 'Organic India Award', while Uttarkashi got second place in 'One District-One Product' for red rice and Haridwar and Tehri district got first and second place respectively in the PM Crop Insurance Scheme. (ANI)