Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana: Subsidy Amount Increased to ₹8,000 per acre

In a significant boost to water conservation efforts, Haryana Chief Minister has announced an increase in the subsidy provided under Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana. Farmers who opt to diversify away from paddy cultivation will now receive ₹8,000 per acre, up from the previous ₹7,000. This decision underscores state government’s commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

What is Haryana’s Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana?

Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana, which translates to “My Water, My Heritage Scheme,” is an initiative by Haryana Government to encourage farmers to move away from water-intensive crops like paddy. The scheme aims to conserve groundwater resources by promoting the cultivation of alternative crops that require less water.

Objectives of Haryana Mera Pani Meri Virasat Scheme

• Water Conservation: To reduce depletion of groundwater levels across Haryana.
• Crop Diversification: To encourage farmers to adopt alternative, less water-intensive crops.
• Income Support: To provide financial assistance to farmers during transition to new crops.
• Sustainable Agriculture: To promote environmentally sustainable farming practices.

Benefits of Increased Subsidy under Haryana Initiative

Increased subsidy from ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 per acre offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Financial Incentive: Higher subsidy makes crop diversification more attractive to farmers.
• Wider Adoption: More farmers are likely to participate in scheme, leading to greater water savings.
• Improved Livelihoods: Diversification can open up new income opportunities for farmers through different crops.
• Environmental Impact: Reduced paddy cultivation will significantly lower water consumption in agriculture.

How to Avail Benefit of Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana

To avail benefits under Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana, farmers need to register with Haryana Agriculture Department and opt for crop diversification. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Registration: Register on official website of Haryana Agriculture Department.
2. Crop Selection: Choose an alternative crop to paddy from list of approved crops.
3. Verification: Agriculture Department will verify application and land details.
4. Subsidy Disbursal: Upon successful verification, subsidy amount will be directly transferred to farmer’s bank account.

Crops under Haryana’s Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana

Under Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana, farmers are encouraged to cultivate alternative crops such as:

• Maize
• Pulses (like Moong, Arhar)
• Oilseeds
• Vegetables
• Horticultural crops

These crops not only consume less water but also help in improving soil health and diversifying agricultural produce.

Impact of Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana in Haryana

Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana has had a positive impact on Haryana’s water conservation efforts. By incentivizing farmers to move away from paddy cultivation, scheme has helped in:

• Reducing groundwater depletion
• Promoting sustainable agricultural practices
• Increasing awareness about water conservation among farmers.

Increased subsidy is expected to further accelerate adoption of water-saving crops and contribute to long-term ecological sustainability in the region.

Haryana Government’s decision to increase subsidy under Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana is a commendable step towards promoting water conservation and sustainable agriculture. By providing enhanced financial incentives, scheme aims to encourage more farmers to diversify away from water-intensive crops like paddy, thus contributing to preservation of precious groundwater resources.