Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed a webinar on Feb 24 on the positive impact of Union Budget 2022 in the agriculture sector. He discussed the ways in which the Budget will contribute to strengthening the agriculture sector. The webinar was focused on ‘Smart Agriculture — Strategies for implementation’.
Concerned Union Ministers, representatives of state governments, representatives from industry and academia and farmers through various Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) were present on the occasion.
At the outset, the PM noted the third anniversary of the launch of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. “This scheme has become a strong support for the small farmers of the country. Under the scheme, almost 1.75 lakh crore rupees has been given to 11 crore farmers”, he said. 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 six years, the agriculture budget has been increased manifold. Agriculture loans for farmers also increased by two-and-a-half times in the last seven years”, he added.
The PM pointed out that during the difficult period of the pandemic, 3 crore farmers were given Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) as part of the special drive and the facility of KCC was extended to farmers engaged in Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. The micro-irrigation network has also been strengthened to the great benefit of the small farmers, he said.
Due to these efforts, he said, farmers have generated record production and new records have been created in MSP purchases too. Due to encouragement to organic farming, said the PM, the market for organic products has reached Rs 11,000 crore, with export rising to more than Rs 7,000 crore from Rs 2,000 crore six years ago.
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 5km 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. Fifthly, the focus is on the better organization 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. Seventhly, agri research and education syllabus will be changed as per demands of modern times with regard to skill development and human resource development.
The PM noted that the year 2023 was recognized as the International Year of Millets and called upon the corporate world to come forward in branding and promoting Indian millets. He asked major Indian missions abroad to organize seminars and other promotional activities to popularize the quality and benefits of Indian millets. He also asked for leveraging increasing awareness for eco-friendly lifestyle and resulting market for natural and organic products. He exhorted the KVKs to create awareness for natural farming by adopting a village each for the promotion of natural farming.
Highlighting the government’s focus on the Soil Health Cards, he called upon the start-ups to come forward to facilitate the practice of soil testing at regular intervals.
Emphasizing innovations in the irrigation field, the PM underlined the 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 Project in the Bundelkhand region.
The PM stressed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to change agriculture- and farming-related trends completely in the 21st century. The increasing use of drones in farming is part of this change. “Drone technology will be available on a scale only when we promote agri-start-ups. In the last 3-4 years, more than 700 agri start-ups have been created in the country,” he added.
With regard to work in the sphere of post-harvest management, the PM said that the government has been trying to increase the scope of processed food and ensure 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 pointed out.
The PM emphasized the 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. He also asked to explore ways of using agri-waste for packaging. He 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.
Dwelled on the role of the cooperative sector, the PM said, “India's cooperative sector is very vibrant. Be it sugar mills, fertilizer factories, dairies, loan arrangements, purchase of food grains, the participation of the cooperative sector is huge. Our government has also created a new ministry related to it. Your goal should be how to turn cooperatives into a successful business enterprise.”