UP Minister urges extension of crop insurance deadline, pushes key reforms for farmers’ welfare

Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi on Thursday requested the Central Government to push the deadline for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) from July 31 to August 15, allowing more farmers to enroll in the crop insurance scheme.

The minister revealed that during his meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi on Wednesday, several critical issues related to farmers were discussed. Shahi formally sought an extension of the PMFBY enrollment period and stressed the importance of broader farmer inclusion in the program.

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Among other key proposals, Shahi suggested extending the timeframe for reporting crop damage due to natural calamities from 72 to 96 hours. He also raised concerns over agricultural losses caused by wild animals and stray cattle, urging the Centre to devise a long-term solution.

Emphasising eco-friendly farming practices, the minister said discussions were held on promoting bio-pesticides over chemical alternatives to boost organic farming—a move expected to benefit farmers, consumers, and soil health alike.

Shahi also pitched for setting up “Speed Breeding Labs” in UP’s agricultural universities to accelerate the development of high-yielding crop varieties. Additionally, he called for ensuring sufficient quality seeds for the Rabi season and proposed including waterlogging losses from the Kharif season under the PMFBY coverage.

Reiterating his dedication to farmers’ welfare, Shahi affirmed his continuous efforts to tackle agricultural challenges while advocating stronger coordination between state and central governments for effective policymaking.