Gujarat govt approves new scheme for 50 % assistance for crop protecting fence

Gandhinagar: Giving a major relief to the farmers of Gujarat, the state government today approved a new scheme for assistance to them for erecting fence around their farms for protecting crops from various animals.

Under the scheme the state government will give 50 percent financial assistance to the farmers for the purpose. Rest 50 percent will be borne by the farmer. A fund of Rs 750 crores will be earmarked for the purpose in next three years.

Addressing a press conference here today Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that each year Rs 250 crore will be allocated in the budget for the purpose. The state cabinet today approved the scheme and accordingly Rs 250 crore will be allocated in the next budget for the purpose.

”Farmers used to bear loss to the tune of crores of rupees every year owing to destruction of their crops by various animals. There was a scheme for assistance for fence making in the past also but it was not sufficient. Now the government has approved a very effective scheme,’ he said.

‘Now the forest and agriculture departments have agreed to allow a new kind of fencing under the new scheme. This new kind of fencing which will have barbed wire on the upper side and plain wire net on the lower side, will not let even very small crop destroying animals in the fields,’ Mr Patel said.

He appealed the farmers to take benefit of the scheme.

DeshGujarat