UP to increase seed subsidy for drought-hit farmers

In a major drought relief initiative for farmers in distress, Uttar Pradesh government plans to ramp up its seed subsidy to farmers in 50 drought-hit districts. The increased subsidy amount, sources in the government told TOI, will be transferred to farmers through the state’s existing direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme for seed subsidy. In the drought-hit districts, the benefit will also extend retrospectively to farmers who have already purchased seeds from government shops, this year and will be paid through a second installment.