Over 3000 farmers from various states attended Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendra's virtual meet
"At the moment, the nation has more than 1.60 lakh Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs) in operation. To ensure that farmers have access to quality assured products for improving their knowledge of farming and agricultural practises, PMKSKs aspire to establish a "One-Stop Shop" network of more than 2 lakh such kendras. Mansukh Mandaviya made this statement while interacting digitally with more than 3000 farmers from different states at the 1.60 lakh Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendra (PMKSK) locations nationwide. Farmers from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand were engaged in two-way conversations. Additionally present during the virtual interaction event was Bhagwanth Khuba, MoS (C&F).
According to Mandaviya, PMKSKs are quickly becoming the focal point for outreach initiatives in agriculture, raising awareness of new and evolving knowledge in the field, samvaad with the farmer community, and activities related to extension through agricultural universities. "These are organisations of farmer's welfare," he said, "not just outlets for fertilisers, equipment, and sales." According to him, PMKSK will soon transform into an institution rather than just a one-stop shop for all things linked to farming and agriculture.
Through an appeal, the Union Minister urged the farmers to gradually switch from chemical fertilisers to alternative and organic fertilisers, such as nano urea and nano DAP. In the upcoming Rabi season, let's aim to utilise 20% fewer chemical fertilisers and replace them with alternative/organic fertilisers, he said. According to him, studies have conclusively demonstrated that excessive use of chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides, and other drugs has a negative influence on human health and welfare, either directly or indirectly. Mandaviya once more emphasised the PM-PRANAM (PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) plan in this context, which was just recently introduced. The programme encourages states to employ alternative fertilisers in an effort to decrease the usage of chemical fertilisers.
Farmers who spoke with the Minister discussed their experiences utilising the Pradhan Mantri Kisam Samridhi Kendra services. "PMKSKs have really benefited us to access inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and medicine, under one room, which was previously unavailable to us," remarked Pankaj Bhai from Gujarat. When we first started, we had to go a great distance to use these services and facilities from other stores. Dr. Ranganath, a Karnataka-based radiologist who gave up his career in favour of farming, stated that PMKSKs "help provide soil and water testing facilities, and help in connecting the farmers to those facility centres." Additionally, it aids in raising farmers' knowledge of ethical agricultural practises.