AGRI EXPERTS ASKS FM
Agriculture
experts today asked the government to boost investment in the sector, upgrade
farm technologies and issue bonds to fund incomplete irrigation projects,
besides focusing on market reforms in the budget. In a pre-budget meeting with
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the experts suggested timely implementation of
the BJP's election manifesto promises to fix higher support prices. They also
favoured a Kissan TV channel, an efficient procurement policy, priority for
farm mechanisation and the linking of rivers. "Several experts made
recommendations to improve the sector. Some of the points of the BJP manifesto
came for discussion. We listened to all the suggestions," Jaitley told PTI
after the meeting. In opening remarks at his first pre-budget consultation with
representatives of the agriculture sector, Jaitley said that "the concerns
of the agriculture sector are high on the priority of the government." He
said that despite constraints on the economy, the government will try its best
to boost this sector, according to an official statement. Minister of State for
Finance Nirmala Sitharaman and senior officials of the finance and agriculture
ministries were also present at the meeting. "The BJP manifesto on
agriculture is very comprehensive and it calls for greater investment,"
said agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, who attended the two-hour meeting.
Emphasising the need to conserve soil, water and biodiversity in the backdrop of
climate change, he recommended mandatory harvesting of rainwater with the
support of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. He
recommended setting up soil-monitoring centres with modern equipment in every
block and conserving indigenous animal breeds like cattle and buffalo. He also
suggested a special fund to help develop gender-specific skills. Consortium of
Indian Farmers Association (CIFA) Secretary General Chengal Reddy mooted the
issue of bonds to fund about 300 incomplete irrigation projects and the setting
up of a National Water Authority and River Valley Authorities. He also
suggested a long-term agri-trade policy, an efficient procurement policy and
boosting farm income by fixing higher support prices to encourage the farming
community to continue in this profession. He also sought effective backward
linkages to check food inflation.
Ramesh
Chand, Director at the National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy
Research, a body under the ministry of agriculture, emphasised the urgent need
to bring market reforms in the farm sector. He suggested that the government
promote the formation of producers' companies, reform the Agricultural Produce
Marketing Committee Act and improve the entire value chain. He recommended
upgrading of farm technology in areas such as rainwater harvesting. The Indian
Agricultural Research Institute suggested that the government increase the
allocation to farm research to Rs 8,500 crore from Rs 5,700 crore currently. It
sought declaration of the institute as one of national importance and a
one-time grant of Rs 200 crore. Sharing the problems being faced by
cooperatives, National Cooperative Union of India Chief Executive Dinesh
suggested that the government exempt primary agriculture cooperative societies
from income and service tax. He recommended recasting the National Policy on
Cooperatives to make it more relevant and strengthening the education and
training of cooperatives to enable them to function professionally. Experts who
participated in the meeting were from International Water Management Institute,
Watershed Organisation Trust, NAFED, Federation of Oilseeds Cooperative Growers
of India, United Planters' Association of Southern India, All India Spices
Exports Forum and Cargill India, among others.
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