Ranchi, Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh today said that the state government is taking many steps to increase the participation of the women in the Agriculture sector. Speaking after distributing mini tractors and other agriculture equipments among the women groups here he said that 425 women groups are being provided mini tractors and rotavator on 80 percent subsidy.

He said the state government is running many schemes for the betterment of the farmers in which apart from providing the seeds and fertilizer focus is on providing agricultural equipments. He said in the first phase 425 such women groups are being provided tractors and rotavators. The minister said the government is providing a grant of Rs 4 lakh on these equipments while women groups have to give nearly Rs 1.25 lakh. Badal said that distribution of the farm equipments will be done in the blocks under the presence of elected representatives. He said that government is working on an ambitious plan to provide help to 24 lakh people involved in the agriculture over the course of next four years. Badal said that small women groups are being also encouraged to take up farming.