Lucknow: On the occasion of the New Year, the Union Cabinet announced three significant decisions aimed at benefitting farmers. Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister, Surya Pratap Shahi, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the farmers of the state for these transformative measures.
The key decisions include:
- Additional subsidy of ₹1,350 crore for DAP fertilizers
- Expansion of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme
- Central assistance for the establishment of Automatic Weather Gauge Stations starting FY 2025-26
Subsidy on DAP Fertilizers
Minister Shahi highlighted that, as a result of the Cabinet’s decision, farmers will continue to receive a 50 kg bag of DAP fertilizer for ₹1,350, ensuring no increase in their financial burden despite rising international prices. The Indian government has allocated an additional ₹3,850 crore subsidy to offset global price hikes and shield farmers from their impact.
This historic decision, Shahi said, will benefit millions of farmers in Uttar Pradesh, ensuring affordability and timely availability of essential fertilizers critical for agriculture.
Expansion of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme
Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme, the budgetary allocation has been expanded from ₹65,000 crore to ₹69,515.71 crore. This increase ensures broader coverage and enhanced support to farmers for crop security and assistance during natural calamities.
The initiative reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods and securing them against unforeseen challenges.
Support for Automatic Weather Gauge Stations
In another critical move, the Union Cabinet approved central assistance under the WINDS Scheme for the establishment of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) in Uttar Pradesh. This support will commence in FY 2025-26, enhancing the state’s capacity to monitor weather conditions and provide timely data to farmers.
The development of AWS and ARG infrastructure will help farmers make informed decisions, mitigate weather-related risks, and improve overall agricultural productivity.
Acknowledgment and Gratitude
Minister Shahi extended his profound thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government and the farmers of the state. He emphasized that these decisions reaffirm the Prime Minister’s commitment to the welfare of the farming community and his vision of empowering Indian agriculture.
The minister concluded by stating that these progressive measures will significantly contribute to the agricultural sector’s growth, ensure financial stability for farmers, and enhance their resilience against global market fluctuations and natural disasters.
This New Year announcement marks another step forward in the government’s mission to make farming sustainable, profitable, and secure for millions of farmers across the nation.
