Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a webinar on positive impact of Union Budget 2022 in Agriculture sector on February 24, 2022, discussed the ways in which the Budget will contribute to strengthening the sector. The Webinar was focused on ‘Smart Agriculture’- Strategies for implementation. Union Ministers concerned, representatives of state governments, representatives from industry and academia, and farmers through various Krishi Vigyan Kendras were present on the occasion.
At the outset, Modi referred to the third anniversary of the launch of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and said, “This scheme has become a strong support for the small farmers of the country. Under the scheme, almost Rs 1.75 lakh crore have been given to 11 crore farmers.” He talked about many new systems spanning from seed to market and also about the reforms in the old systems in the agriculture sector. “In just 6 years, agriculture budget has been increased manifold. Agriculture loans for farmers were also increased by two and half times in the last 7 years,”,the PM said.
He pointed out that during the difficult period of the pandemic, 3 crore farmers were given Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) as part of the special drive and the facility of KCC was extended to farmers engaged in Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. Micro irrigation network has also been strengthened to great benefit of the small farmers, Modi said. Due to these efforts, he said, farmers are giving record production and new records have been created in MSP purchases too. Due to encouragement to organic farming, Modi said, market for organic products has reached Rs 11000 crore, with export rising to more than Rs 7000 crore from Rs 2000 crore 6 years ago, according to a PIB release.
The PM elaborated on the seven ways in which the Budget proposes to make agriculture modern and smart. Firstly, the target is to undertake natural farming on mission mode within 5 km on both the banks of the Ganges. Secondly, Modern technology in agriculture and horticulture will be made available to the farmers. Thirdly, Emphasis has been laid on strengthening Mission Oil Palm to reduce the import of edible oil. Fourthly, new logistics arrangements will be made through PM Gati-Shakti plan for the transportation of agricultural products. Fifth solution in the Budget is better organisation of agri-waste management and increasing farmers’ income through waste to energy solutions. Sixthly, more than 1.5 lakh post offices will provide services like regular banking so that farmers are not troubled. Seventh, Agri research and education syllabus will be changed as per demands of modern times with regard to skill development and human resource development.
Modi talked about year 2023 being recognized as International Year of Millets and called upon the corporate world to come forward in branding and promoting Indian millets. He also asked major Indian missions abroad to organise seminars and other promotional activities to popularise the quality and benefits of Indian millets. He exhorted the KVKs to create awareness about natural farming by adopting a village each for promotion of natural farming..The PM emphasised the need for increased soil testing culture in India. Highlighting the government’s focus on the Soil Health Cards, he called upon the startups to come forwards to facilitate the practice of soil testing at regular interval.
Emphasizing innovations in the irrigation field, the PM underlined government’s focus on ‘per drop, more crop’. He said there are many possibilities for the corporate world in this too. He also mentioned the transformation that will be brought about by the Ken- Betwa link Pariyojana in Bundelkhand region.
The Prime Minister stressed that Artificial intelligence is going to completely change the trend related to agriculture and farming in the 21st century. Increasing use of drones in farming is part of this change. “Drone technology will be available on a scale only when we promote agri-startups. In the last 3-4 years, more than 700 Agri Startups have been created in the country,” he added.
With regard to work in the sphere of post-harvest management, Modi said that the government has been trying to increase the scope of processed food and ensuring international standards of quality. “In this regard, along with the Kisan Sampada Yojana, the PLI scheme is important. The value chain also plays a big role in this. Therefore, a special Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore has been created,” he added.
The PM emphasised management of agri-residue (parali). “For this, some new measures have been taken in this budget, due to which carbon emission will be reduced and farmers will also get income,” he said. The PM also touched upon the potential in the field of ethanol where the government is moving ahead with a goal of 20 per cent blending. The blending has reached near 8 per cent compared to 1-2 per cent in 2014, he informed.