New Delhi: The government is committed to encourage innovation in the agriculture sector, promote startups and simplify farming with the use of technology. In recent years, focus has also been increased on expanding the post-harvest management, packaging, transportation and storage system to save every bit of food grain.

Launch of AgriSure Fund and Agriculture Investment Portal

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Tuesday launched the Agrisure Fund and Agriculture Investment Portal worth Rs 750 crore. He said that farming needs not only government investment but also private investment and said that this will be possible through the Agriculture Investment Portal. NABARD and the Agriculture Ministry will both give Rs 250 crore each in the Agrisure Fund. The rest will come from other institutions. This fund will be used to increase the crop value chain, build infrastructure, create employment and encourage farmer producer organizations.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Bhagirath Chaudhary and Ramnath Thakur were also present in the program. Shivraj motivated the farmers to change the old method of farming and move towards organic farming and said that the use of chemical fertilizers is reducing fertility and is adversely affecting production and human body.

Work is being done on 6 formulas

Shivraj said that work is being done on six principles for agricultural development. To increase production, the government has dedicated 109 varieties of seeds of 65 crops to farmers. There is a variety of rice that requires 30 percent less water. There is a variety of millet that gets ready in 70 days. It gives better production even in rising temperatures. Reducing the cost of production and getting the right price for the produce is also a priority

Diversification of agriculture is in the government's roadmap and no stone will be left unturned to promote high-income crops along with traditional ones. Shivraj said that agriculture contributes 18 percent to the country's GDP. Farmers are the biggest producers and consumers. More than 50 percent of people are dependent on agriculture. Efforts are being made to reduce the cost of farming. Subsidy is being given to banks to reduce the cost of different types of agricultural methods.