PM reviews progress of Soil Health Cards, PMFBY

New Delhi, Aug 21 :  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reviewed the progress of two key schemes related to the agriculture sector -- Soil Health Cards and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. The Prime Minister was informed that 16 states/UTs have completed the first cycle of Soil Health Cards distribution, and the remaining states are likely to complete the same within weeks, a statement said here. Reviewing the progress, the Prime Minister said appropriate checks should be undertaken for variation, both within a sampling grid, and across different soil testing labs. This would help ensure quality in the reports, he added. Mr Modi further emphasised that soil health cards should be printed in the local dialect of the area, so that the farmers are able to read and understand them easily. Encouraging the rapid adoption of latest technology, he said soil testing should eventually be possible through hand-held devices. The Prime Minister urged the officials to explore the possibility of involving start-ups and entrepreneurs in this exercise. On Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Mr Modi was informed that in Kharif season of 2016 and Rabi season of 2016-17, claims of over Rs 7700 crore have already been paid, and more than 90 lakh ryots have been benefited. The officials further apprised the Prime Minister that latest technology, including smartphones, remote sensing, satellite data and drones are being used for speedy data collection with regard to crop insurance claims. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, NITI Aayog and PMO were present during the review meeting, the statement added. UNI