Punjab to have agro service centres to assist farmers

Chandigarh, Mar 7 (UNI) The Punjab Government has decided to establish Agro Service Centres at the Block level in the state to assist the farmers.

These centres will be established by private entrepreneurs or farmers under the directions of the Department of Agriculture under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) scheme.

An official release today stated that the Government has provided a sum of Rs 5 crore for setting up of the centres.

In order to reduce the burden of heavy capital expenditure and high fixed cost on farmers and also to promote the adoption of latest technology, the Punjab government has decided to provide facility to small farmers for hiring necessary machinery and equipment for their farm operations through these centres.

In these centres, farm equipment like tiller and disc harrow, happy seeder for Zero Till Cultivation of wheat, bed planter, ridger, rotavator, mini walking tractor will be provided. The machinery and equipment will be maintained by the Centre.

The equipment will be rented out to the farmers at reasonable charges.

Preference will be given to Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) for setting up of the Centres. The Punjab State Farmers Commission will assist the entrepreneurs in obtaining loans at subsidised rates for setting up these Centres.

UNI HS BJR HS1835