Minister for Agriculture, Krishna Byregowda said that the government would double the funds for Krishi Bhagya scheme from next year.
Addressing the gathering after inspecting the storage tank built under the scheme at Bidarkundi village of Muddebihal taluk on Saturday, he said that Krishi Bhagya scheme had been implemented in 107 taluk of State including five of Vijayapura district.
“The government has earmarked Rs. 500 crore for the project, based on its success, the government is proposing to double the fund allocation in next year”, Mr. Byregowda said.
The Minister informed that for construction of storage tank under the scheme, while 90 per cent subsidy was given to SC/ST beneficiaries, 80 per cent was given to general category.
Stating that around 70 per cent farmers of the country were depending on rain for agriculture, he said that the scheme grants funds to the farmers to conserve the rain water for utilizing during scanty monsoon.
“The water would at least help the farmers to save their withering crop due to insufficient rain”, the Minister said.
Explaining that the farmers could store from 1.60 lakh liters to 8 lakh liters of water in their tanks based on the size the area, Mr. Byregowda said that government would offer subsidy for purchasing the pumpsets for lifting the water from the tank.
“The government would grant free pumpsets if at least four beneficiaries together get a tank built and seek pumpset. The Department of Agriculture would provide a pumpset free of cost”, he said.
On the occasion, he also inaugurated centre where agriculture equipments were being given to farmers on rent.
He said that the government has granted Rs. 75 lakh for purchasing various modern agriculture equipments for giving on rent to the farmers.
The centre to have around 40 types of agriculture equipments.
MLA, C. S. Nadagouda also spoke, the officials of Agriculture Department were present.
