State of Maharashtra is making marvelous leaps and bounds in the field of agriculture in recent years. Maharashtra’s economy is chiefly agrarian in nature and the main occupation of the people. Main crops include Wheat, Pulses, Cotton, Jowar, Turmeric, Bajra, Rice, Sugarcane, Onions and Oil Seeds like Soya-beans, Sunflower and Groundnut. The state has massive areas, under fruit cultivation of which Grapes, Oranges, Pineapples, Mangoes and Banana are the chief ones.
Maharashtra is one of the best industrialised states of India; it occupies the western and central parts of the country and extends over the Sahyadri mountains, a massive stretch of 720 kilometres of the Arabian Sea coast providing it a stunning backdrop. The present state of Maharashtra was formed on May 1, 1960 on unilingual principle by creating it out of the erstwhile Mumbai state.
It consisted of mainly the Marathi-speaking areas as the state was formed from the areas of the princely state of Hyderabad, Central Provinces and Berar.
The Government of Maharashtra has introduced the Dr.PanjabraoDeshmukh Interest Concession Scheme to offer allowance/discounts for farmers in the state of Maharashtra. He was a great social activist and influenced by teachings of Dr BhimRaoAmbedkar and started equality movement in Maharashtra for the protection of farmers and downtrodden.
He established the Bharat KrishakSamaj and launched many missions from1950 to1960. He was the first agricultural minister in the cabinet of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and introduced the Japanese method of rice cultivation in India. Dr.PanjabraoDeshmukhalways advocated the fact that farmers are the backbone of our nation and always used to protect their interest and promote their welfare.
The objectives of the Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Interest Concession Scheme are
To offer financial support for farmers in Maharashtra regardless of income levels and caste related issues.
Giving them incentives to boost their agricultural production and bring about change in their lives.
To offer crop loans for farmers in the rural and remote areas of Maharashtra State.
The criteria’s for being the member of the Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Interest Concession Scheme are given below as follows.
Applicant must be the native of Maharashtra State.
Applicant should be above 18 years of age.
Applicant must be educated and cleared Eighth standard.
Applicant should be from rural areas and remote villages in Maharashtra.
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Interest Concession Scheme is a farmer centric scheme launched by the Government of Maharashtra. Some of the amazing features of this scheme are given below as follows:
Government of Maharashtra will offer crop loans up to INR 3 Lakhs at zero interest rates to the farmers.
Subsidies extended to the farmers by the Government of Maharashtra will not be above 3%.
Farmers repaying the interest on the loans up to INR 3 Lakhs on time will get interest subsidy.
Modifications for the Dr.PanjabraoDeshmukh Interest Concession Scheme were made in the year 2021 by the Chief MinisterUddhav Thackeray.
They implement programs like Crop demonstrations, Workshops, Exhibitions, Fairs, Surprise Visits, and Meetings to enhance the agricultural production.
As per the new modifications done towards the scheme, the farmers who repay the crop loans on the specified time will get 2% additional interest concessions for the short term crop between INR 1 Lakhs and 3 Lakhs.
It is ideal for the farmers in Maharashtra not having any lands in their name, as they can avail this scheme.
3, 50,000 farmers have been benefited from this scheme so far in the state of Maharashtra.
The original scheme of the Dr.PanjabraoDeshmukh Interest Concession Scheme sponsored by the Government of Maharashtra was started in 1990 and lot of amendments has been made since its inception with the passage of time.
All the components of the Dr.PanjabraoDeshmukh Interest Concession Schemeare monitored by the Directorates of Soil Conservation, Accounts and Finance, Monitoring and Evaluation and Planning, and theCommissioner of Agriculture.
Qualification details of each members.
Nativity Certificate attested by the Gazetted officer.
Date of Birth Certificate attested by the Gazetted officer.
Statements showing the Income and Expenditure details updated till date of submitting the application.
No Objection Certificate from the recognised bank.
Attested copies of the property bills and invoices by the Gazetted officer.
Address Proofs like the Electricity Bills, Telephone Bills, and the Property Documents.
Xerox copies of Passport, Ration card, and Voter Id, signed by the Gazetted Officer.
Caste certificate attested by the Gazetted officer.
Certificate if any or the government recognised establishment stating that the applicant has done any course relating to agriculture.
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA
Topographic and the agricultural environment are beneficial for the growth of agriculture in Maharashtra.
Encourages the large scale production of vegetable and fruits and exhibits tremendous potential to market them in the areas where demand factor is high.
Making sure agricultural activities does not get hampered due to deficient rains or famines and other natural disasters.
Carrying out huge investment in the field of storing and offering warehousing facilities for the fruits and vegetables like Onions, Oranges, Brinjal, Beans, Carrot, Tomatoes and others and make the difference.
Setting up huge Agro-Processing Units in Maharashtra to bring the quality in the production and protect the farmer’s interest and promote their welfare.
Government of Maharashtra encourages the setting up Fair Price Shops, Local Markets, MandisandAgro Outlets to get greatest returns for their produce and make a difference to the life of farmers.
Giving support to the farmers like introducing new Farming Techniques, Water Distribution, Yield Enhancing Techniques, Financial Assistance, and Offering Farm Equipment’s Like Sickle, Tractor and Others.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING:
You need to fill the application form and submit it to the block development officer at the village or taluk levels.
The form is reviewed by the technical and financial committee of the respective villages and taluks.
It goes to the District Development Authority and they will verify all the documents and take final call on the application.
They will contact the Block Development Officer, if they require any additional documents for processing the application.
Block Development Officer will contact the farmer and give the updates on the scheme, approved or not approved.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Commissioner of Agriculture
Third Floor
MS Central Building
Pune—411001
Phone: 020-26123648
Email: comagri.pune@agri.maharashtra.gov.in
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