Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.
The government has implemented several initiatives to ensure an increase in agricultural production, focusing on institutional reforms and farmer welfare. A primary step taken was the provision for crop insurance against natural calamities like drought, flood, cyclone, fire, and disease. This protects farmers from financial losses and encourages them to invest in better inputs.
To improve financial inclusion, the government established Grameen banks, cooperative societies, and banks. These institutions provide loan facilities to farmers at lower rates of interest, ensuring they have the necessary funds for modern agricultural inputs.
Specific schemes such as the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) were introduced for the benefit of farmers. These schemes provide crucial financial security and credit support.
Additionally, the government introduced special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes on radio and television to disseminate information. To check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen, the government announces minimum support price, remunerative price, and procurement price for important crops, ensuring fair returns and incentivizing higher production.
Explanation
The answer is derived from the section 'Institutional Reforms' in the textbook. It lists the specific measures taken by the government: crop insurance, credit facilities through banks, KCC and PAIS schemes, information dissemination via media, and price protection mechanisms like MSP. These points directly address the question on initiatives for increasing production.