POCRA 2.0 Apply Online: The Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (PoCRA), also known as Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjeevani Prakalp, is an ambitious project by the Maharashtra Government. It aims to help farmers combat the impacts of climate change and improve agricultural productivity. The project focuses on equipping farmers to handle adverse climatic conditions like droughts, unseasonal rains, and hailstorms. Initially, PoCRA covered a limited number of districts in Maharashtra, but with PoCRA 2.0, the initiative has been expanded significantly.
What is POCRA 2.0?
PoCRA 2.0 is the second phase of the climate-resilient agriculture project aimed at helping farmers adapt to adverse weather conditions. The program has a budget of around ₹6,000 crores for its implementation, making it a major step in climate-smart agriculture.
In the first phase (PoCRA 1.0), around 5,142 villages from drought-prone and saline-belt areas were covered, primarily in Vidarbha and Marathwada. The scheme focused on improving water management, promoting sustainable farming techniques, and equipping farmers with resources to face challenges like uneven rainfall and other unexpected weather events. With PoCRA 2.0, new districts like Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli are being included in the project’s ambit.
Objective of POCRA 2.0 Scheme
The primary objective of POCRA 2.0 is to make Maharashtra’s agriculture more resilient to climate change. The scheme focuses on:
- Sustainable Agriculture: Encouraging farmers to adopt practices that reduce the impact of climate change.
- Water Conservation: Promoting efficient water use techniques to save water and protect natural resources.
- Soil Health Improvement: Helping farmers enhance the fertility of the soil through organic methods and less chemical usage.
- Farmer Empowerment: Providing farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
- Promoting Climate-Resilient Crops: Supporting the growth of crops that can withstand extreme weather conditions, like drought-resistant varieties.
Benefits of POCRA 2.0 Scheme
Farmers enrolled in POCRA 2.0 can enjoy several benefits. These include:
- Financial Assistance: The government provides subsidies and financial help to farmers for adopting modern farming techniques.
- Water Management: Farmers are trained in rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and micro-irrigation systems to conserve water.
- Soil Health Improvement: The scheme promotes organic farming methods and soil testing to maintain soil health. Farmers are also guided on how to reduce chemical usage.
- Access to Modern Technology: POCRA 2.0 encourages the use of advanced farming machinery and techniques. This includes solar-powered water pumps and precision farming tools.
- Crop Insurance: Farmers are made aware of crop insurance policies that help them in case of crop failure due to climate change.
- Training and Capacity Building: Workshops and training programs are organized to educate farmers about climate-resilient farming.
- Community Involvement: The scheme promotes the formation of farmer groups to collectively work towards improving agricultural practices.
- Climate Data Access: Farmers receive updates on weather patterns and climate forecasts, helping them plan their agricultural activities accordingly.
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— Rajesh Pawar (@MLARAJESHPAWAR) October 15, 2024
धन्यवाद भाजप-महायुती सरकार!#POCRA pic.twitter.com/OmPp3k4Dpw
POCRA 2.0 Apply Online Eligibility Criteria
To ensure that the scheme benefits those who need it the most, certain eligibility criteria have been established. These include:
- Geographical Area: The scheme is primarily focused on farmers in drought-prone regions of Maharashtra. These areas have been identified by the government as the most affected by climate change.
- Type of Farmers: Both small and marginal farmers are eligible to apply for the scheme. It aims to support farmers with limited resources and landholdings.
- Crop Selection: Farmers growing climate-resilient crops are given preference. These include drought-resistant varieties of cereals, pulses, and oilseeds.
- Commitment to Sustainable Practices: Farmers who are willing to adopt sustainable farming practices, such as organic farming, water conservation, and minimal chemical use, are eligible for the scheme.
Documents Required for POCRA 2.0 Apply Online
Farmers who wish to apply for the scheme must submit the following documents:
- Aadhaar Card: Proof of identity and address is mandatory.
- Land Ownership Documents: Proof of landholding is required to establish the farmer’s eligibility for the scheme.
- Bank Account Details: Farmers need to provide their bank account information for the direct transfer of financial assistance.
- Photograph of the Farmer: A recent passport-size photograph is required.
- Crop Details: Information about the type of crops being grown and planned for the next season.
- Soil Health Card: If available, farmers should submit their soil health card, which provides details about the quality of the soil on their land.
- Water Resource Details: Information about the available water resources on the farm, such as wells, ponds, or access to irrigation.
POCRA 2.0 Apply Online
The application process for POCRA 2.0 is simple and can be done online. Farmers can follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the Official Website: Farmers need to visit the official website of the POCRA portal or www.dbt.mahapocra.gov.in
- Register Online: On the homepage, farmers should click on the “Apply Online” option. They will need to register by providing their mobile number, email address, and Aadhaar number.
- Fill the Application Form: After registration, an application form will appear. Farmers must fill in all the required details, including personal information, landholding details, and crop information.
- Upload Required Documents: The next step is to upload the necessary documents. These include the Aadhaar card, land ownership documents, soil health card (if available), and bank details.
- Submit the Application: Once all the details are filled in, and documents are uploaded, farmers can submit the application form online.
- Receive Acknowledgment: After submission, an acknowledgment receipt will be generated. Farmers should save this receipt for future reference.
- Track Application Status: Farmers can track the status of their application by visiting the official website and entering their registration number.
Offline Application Process for POCRA 2.0
In addition to the online process, farmers can also apply for POCRA 2.0 through the offline mode. Here’s how:
- Visit the Nearest Agriculture Office: Farmers can visit their nearest agriculture department office or Krishi Kendra.
- Collect the Application Form: Application forms for POCRA 2.0 are available at the office. Farmers need to collect the form and fill in the required details.
- Submit the Form with Documents: After completing the form, farmers must submit it along with the required documents like Aadhaar card, land documents, and bank details.
- Get Acknowledgment: Once the form is submitted, farmers will receive an acknowledgment slip, which they should keep for future reference.
How to Check Application Status for POCRA 2.0
Farmers who have POCRA 2.0 Apply Online scheme can easily check the status of their application. Here’s how:
- Online Tracking: Farmers can visit the official POCRA 2.0 website and enter their registration number or Aadhaar number to track the status of their application.
- Visit the Agriculture Office: Alternatively, farmers can visit the nearest agriculture office and inquire about their application status by providing their acknowledgment slip.
pocra 2.0 village list
The PoCRA 2.0 (Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture) expansion is focused on increasing coverage in Maharashtra, especially in Vidarbha. In its first phase, PoCRA 1.0 covered 2,054 villages in six districts of Vidarbha (Amravati, Akola, Buldana, Washim, Yavatmal, and Wardha). These districts were initially chosen due to their vulnerability to farmer distress and climate challenges like droughts.
In PoCRA 2.0, five additional districts have been included: Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli. This phase is set to cover more villages across these regions, with a budget of Rs 6,000 crore. The final village list for PoCRA 2.0 is yet to be confirmed by a committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture, which will finalize the selection based on local agricultural needs and climate vulnerability.
For now, these efforts aim to improve agricultural resilience, making farmers better equipped to handle irregularities in weather patterns through improved irrigation, water management, and crop support programs.
To check the village list for PoCRA 2.0, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the Official PoCRA Website:
- Go to PoCRA Maharashtra, which might have updates about the villages included under the scheme.
- Check Government Notifications:
- The Maharashtra Agriculture Department might release official notifications regarding the specific village list for PoCRA 2.0. Keep an eye on their updates or related press releases.
- Contact Local Agricultural Offices:
- Since the village list is yet to be finalized by a special committee (for Phase II of PoCRA), local district agricultural offices can provide the most up-to-date information on villages included in the project in your region.
- District Websites:
- Reach Out to Farmer Support Networks:
- Farmer support networks or PoCRA-specific helplines may offer guidance for finding whether your village is included in the PoCRA 2.0 initiative.
Since the village list for PoCRA 2.0 is still under consideration, the finalized list will likely be made available soon via official channels.
Conclusion
POCRA 2.0 is a highly beneficial scheme for farmers in Maharashtra, especially those in drought-prone areas. It not only provides financial assistance but also promotes sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Through this scheme, farmers can adopt modern techniques, conserve water, improve soil health, and receive training to deal with climate challenges. By encouraging the use of climate-resilient crops and organic farming methods, POCRA 2.0 aims to safeguard the livelihood of farmers while contributing to a sustainable future for agriculture in Maharashtra.
Farmers who meet the eligibility criteria should take advantage of this scheme and apply either online or offline. With its focus on climate adaptation and resource conservation, POCRA 2.0 stands as a beacon of hope for Maharashtra’s farming community, ensuring they are well-prepared to face the challenges of climate change.