NEW DELHI, 16 May 2020: After announcing investment of up to INR 236,000 crore for agriculture sector, Indian finance ministry has announced additional INR 150,000 crore strengthen agriculture infrastructure logistics, capacity building, governance and administrative reforms for agriculture, fisheries and food processing sectors.
The announcement was done after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 May 2020 said that his government will support and invest INR 20 lakh crore (USD $ 265 billion) - equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP and gave a clarion call for Atmanirbhar Bharat (आत्मनिर्भर भारत अभियान) or Self-Reliant India Movement. PM also outlined five pillars of – economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography and demand.
Agri Infrastructure Fund for farm-gate infrastructure for farmers gets INR 100,000 crore
Government will provide financing facility of INR 100,000 crore (USD $ 13.34 billion) will be provided for funding Agriculture Infrastructure Projects at farm-gate & aggregation points (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, Farmers Producer Organizations, Agriculture entrepreneurs, Start-ups, etc.).
Impetus will be given for development of farm-gate & aggregation point, affordable and financially viable post harvest management infrastructure. Fund will be created immediately.
Fisheries sector to get INR 20,000 crore through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
Government will launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for integrated, sustainable, inclusive development of marine and inland fisheries for which INR 11,000 crore will be invested for activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture and Rs. 9000 crore for Infrastructure - Fishing Harbours, Cold chain, Markets etc shall be provided.
Cage Culture, Seaweed farming, Ornamental Fisheries as well as New Fishing Vessels, Traceability, Laboratory Network etc. will be key activities. There will be provisions of Ban Period Support to fishermen (during the period fishing is not permitted), Personal & Boat Insurance.
This will lead to Additional Fish Production of 70 lakh tones over 5 years, Employment to over 55 lakh persons and double the exports to Rs 1,00,000 crore. The focus will be on Islands, Himalayan States, North-east and Aspirational Districts.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund gets INR 15,000 crore
An Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund of INR 15,000 crore (USD $2 billion) will be set up, with an aim to support private investment in Dairy Processing, value addition and cattle feed infrastructure. Incentives will be given for establishing plants for export of niche products.
Govt investing INR 13,343 crore under National Animal Disease Control Programme
National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis launched with total outlay of INR 13,343 crore (USD $ 1.83 billion) to ensure 100% vaccination of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population (total 53 crore animals) for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and for brucellosis. Till date, 1.5 crore cows & buffaloes tagged and vaccinated.
INR 10,000 crore scheme for Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises (MFE)
A Scheme promoting vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: ‘Vocal for Local with Global outreach’ will be launched to help 200,000 MFEs who need technical upgradation to attain FSSAI food standards, build brands and marketing.
Existing micro food enterprises, Farmer Producer Organisations, Self Help Groups and Cooperatives will be given support.
The focus will be on women and SC/ST owned units and those in aspirational districts and a Cluster based approach (e.g. mango in UP, tomato in Karnataka, chilli in Andhra Pradesh, orange in Maharashtra etc.) will be followed.
Promotion of Herbal Cultivation gets a funding outlay of INR 4000 crore
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has supported 2.25 lakh hectare area under cultivation of medicinal plants. 10,00,000 hectare will be covered under Herbal cultivation in next two years with outlay of INR 4000 crore (USD $ 533 million).
This will lead to INR 5000 crore (USD $ 667 million) income generation for farmers. There will be network of regional Mandis for Medicinal Plants. NMPB will bring 800-hectare area by developing a corridor of medicinal plants along the banks of Ganga.
Beekeeping initiatives get INR 500 crore
Government will implement a scheme for infrastructure development related to integrated beekeeping development centres, collection, marketing and storage centres, post harvest & value addition facilities etc;
a. Implementation of standards & Developing traceability system
b. Capacity building with thrust on women;
c. Development of quality nucleus stock and bee breeders.
This will lead to increase in income for 200,000 beekeepers and quality honey to consumers.
Fruits, vegetable processing get INR 500 crore under TOP to TOTAL scheme
Operation greens run by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) will be extended from tomatoes, onion and potatoes to all fruit and vegetables.
The scheme would provide 50% subsidy on transportation from surplus to deficient markets, 50% subsidy on storage, including cold storages and will be launched as pilot for the next six months and will be extended and expanded.
This will lead to better price realization to farmers, reduced wastages, and affordability of products for consumers.
Government announces administrative reforms for agriculture sector
The government will amend Essential Commodities Act. Agriculture food stuffs including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato shall be deregulated. Stock limit will be imposed under very exceptional circumstances like national calamities, famine with surge in prices. Further, No such stock limit shall apply to processors or value chain participant, subject to their installed capacity or to any exporter subject to the export demand.
Agriculture marketing reforms to provide marketing choices to farmers
A Central law will be formulated to provide adequate choices to the farmer to sell their produce at remunerative price; barrier free Inter-State Trade; and a framework for e-trading of agriculture produce.
Agriculture produce pricing and quality assurance
The government will finalise a facilitative legal framework to enable farmers to engage with processors, aggregators, large retailers, exporters etc. in a fair and transparent manner. Risk mitigation for farmers, assured returns and quality standardisation shall form integral part of the framework.
