Farmers Receive New Year’s Gift! DAP Fertilizer Bag to Be Sold at ₹1,350

New Delhi: On the very first day of the new year, the central government made two major decisions in favor of farmers. The first decision was the approval of a special subsidy package to control the price of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer. The second decision was the approval to continue the Crop Insurance Scheme and the revised Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme until 2025-26. The ₹3,850 crore special subsidy package will ensure that a 50 kg bag of DAP fertilizer will be available for ₹1,350, whereas the open market price for this bag is over ₹3,000.

On January 1, 2025, a cabinet meeting was held under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the media about the decisions taken in the meeting. He said that decisions beneficial to farmers were made. From January 1, 2025, the cabinet approved the special package for DAP fertilizer, in addition to the National Subsidy Scheme (NBS). The proposal from the fertilizer department for supplying DAP at ₹3,500 per metric ton during this period was also approved. Currently, the prices of fertilizers in the open market have seen a significant rise. The special subsidy package will allow farmers to get the DAP fertilizer bag at nearly half the open market price.

Government Approval for FIAT Fund

The Union Cabinet also approved the continuation of the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme and the revised Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme until 2025-26. The total expenditure for these schemes from 2021-22 to 2025-26 has been approved at ₹69,515.71 crore. This decision will help protect crops of farmers across the country from risks arising due to unforeseen natural disasters until 2025-26. To incorporate technology into the implementation of these schemes, the Cabinet also approved a fund of ₹824.77 crore for innovations and technology (FIAT). This fund will be used for quick crop loss assessment, settlement of insurance claims, and reducing disputes, as well as for research and development through technology. This will increase transparency in the calculation and resolution of crop insurance claims. Vaishnaw mentioned that 23 states and Union Territories are benefiting from the PM Crop Insurance Scheme.

Use of ‘YES-TECH’ System

The technology-based Yield Estimation System (YES-TECH) is currently being used. This system uses remote sensing technology to estimate crop yields. At present, nine major states, including Maharashtra, are implementing this system. The government also plans to establish automated weather stations at the block level and automated rain gauges at the panchayat level under the Weather Information and Network Data System.