Lucknow. The Uttar Pradesh government has recently made four important announcements with the aim of providing relief to the farmers of the state and increasing their income. These schemes will not only modernize farming but will also reduce the expenses of farmers. Let us know which schemes farmers can get benefits from.

1. Subsidy on agricultural equipment – opportunity till 29 October

The state government is providing subsidy to farmers to purchase modern agricultural equipment. Farmers can apply online by visiting the Agriculture Department portal till 29th October. Under this scheme, subsidy will be provided on modern equipment like rotavator, thresher. This will reduce the cost of farming and increase productivity.

2. Discount of ₹ 800 per quintal on potato seeds

Giving great relief to the farmers, the prices of potato seeds have been reduced by the Horticulture Department. The seeds which were earlier sold at ₹ 2760 to ₹ 3715 per quintal, will now be available at ₹ 1960 to ₹ 2915 per quintal. This announcement has been made by the Minister of State for Horticulture (Independent Charge) Dinesh Pratap Singh himself. This step will lead to direct cost savings for farmers cultivating potatoes.

3. Up to 50% subsidy on agricultural drones

To promote technology in farming, the government has started a scheme to provide subsidy on agricultural drones. Especially agricultural graduates and rural entrepreneurs will benefit from this. Subsidy will be given up to 50% of the total cost of the drone or a maximum of ₹5 lakh (whichever is lower). This will bring modernity in pesticide spraying, monitoring and other agricultural works.

4. Increase in MSP of paddy by ₹ 69 per quintal.

The government has also given big relief to the farmers cultivating paddy. The minimum support price (MSP) has been increased by ₹69 per quintal. Now the MSP of normal paddy has been fixed at ₹2369 and that of Grade A paddy at ₹2389 per quintal. This increase compared to last year will provide additional income to farmers.