Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
The Divisional Joint Director of Agriculture office has sought Rs 244 crore from the government to provide subsidies to farmers benefiting under various agriculture department schemes.
The divisional joint director expressed hope that the funds will be received by the end of March. Farmers continue to cultivate under unpredictable weather conditions. To encourage adoption of modern practices, the central and state governments have introduced schemes such as micro-irrigation and agricultural mechanisation. Under these, subsidies are provided for farm ponds and irrigation wells. To ensure efficient use of available water, farmers are given drip and sprinkler irrigation systems on subsidy. In view of labour shortages, equipment such as tractors, trailers, threshers, and spraying machines are also provided at subsidised rates. Farmers must apply online through the MahaDBT portal to avail benefits. A total of 10 lakh farmers from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, and Beed districts under the divisional office were selected for various schemes. Those found eligible after document verification, and who have purchased the required equipment or completed works such as farm ponds or drip irrigation installations, will have the subsidy amount credited directly to their bank accounts.
Divisional Joint Director of Agriculture Sunil Wankhede stated that a demand of Rs 244 crore has been submitted to the government and expressed expectation that the funds will be released by the end of March.
----
Process underway to disburse subsidies to 2,200 farmers
Under the agricultural mechanisation scheme, once farmers inform the department about equipment purchase, officials conduct on-site inspections. Photographs of the machinery are taken on the spot and uploaded to the MahaDBT portal. Around 2,200 farmers have undergone such inspections, and the process of disbursing subsidies to them has begun, Wankhede said.