Rajasthan – The Rajasthan government has launched a new scheme to promote traditional farming, providing financial assistance to farmers who use bullocks for farming.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma recently announced a significant initiative aimed at reviving traditional farming practices and protecting cattle in the state. Under this scheme, the government will provide financial assistance of ₹30,000 annually to farmers who use bullocks for farming.
The Need to Promote Traditional Farming
Currently, the increasing use of modern agricultural machinery has led to a sharp decline in the use of bullocks in farming. This has also led to a decline in demand for indigenous cattle breeds, adversely affecting their conservation. The state government believes that this financial incentive will encourage the use of bullocks, thereby re-establishing traditional farming practices and helping to conserve cattle.
Beneficial for both agriculture and the environment
This scheme aims not only to help protect livestock, but also to increase agricultural productivity, reduce dependence on chemicals, and protect the environment. Farming with bulls increases soil fertility and reduces the use of chemical fertilizers, which is beneficial for the environment.
Additional Benefits of the Biogas Scheme
Under this scheme, the state government will also provide subsidies for setting up biogas plants. By using biogas, farmers can reduce their fuel costs and also produce natural fertilizers in their fields. This will promote natural farming methods and improve overall production efficiency.
Easy Application Process for Farmers
The state government has also developed a digital platform for farmers, the “Raj Kisan Saathi” portal. Through this portal, farmers can easily apply for various agricultural schemes, track their application status, and receive information from government advisors. More than 42,000 applications have been received on this portal so far, with the highest number of applications coming from Dungarpur, Banswara, and Udaipur districts.
Farmer Selection Process
The Agriculture Department is now collecting data on farmers who use bullock farming. Based on this, eligible farmers will be shortlisted. The department is also conducting field verification in this process to ensure that only genuine bullock-farming farmers can benefit from this scheme.
This initiative by the Rajasthan government is not only an important step to promote traditional farming, but also provides economic relief to vulnerable farmers and an opportunity to promote natural farming practices.