News & Announcements

Farm to market will facilitates quantum jump in agriculture sector

  At a time when food security issues are emerging across the World, the central budget 2016-17 has given more thrust to income security of farmers, productivity enhancement and marketing. Recommendations are aimed at converting farm to market. It has been envisaged that by 2022 the income of farmers will be doubled. Irrigation, soil health and water conservation were given due coverage in the budget. Organic farming has been identified as one of the key areas of sustainable agriculture. Major strategies for pulses production are mentioned in the budget and 2016 is the international year for pulses. Value addition and connectivity to market and e commerce are some of the recommendations in the budget which facilitates market led production. Procurement system will be revamped in tune with the changes taking place across the market. It will be decentralised and also made online. Animal welfare, conservation of local cattle, e marketing of products and networking of breeding units are some of the major recommendations which will augment dairy sector in the country. Conservation of local cattle will facilitate the organc farming in the country. Rs 9 lakh crores has been allocated for agriculture credit and NABARD has been allocated Rs 25000crores for agri refinance. 100 percent foreign direct investment has been allowed in food processing sector which will facilitate value addition of agriculture products which in turn will increase the rate of return from agriculture. Increased allocation for rural development and MGNREGA will also facilitate agriculture sector and helps to improve production. Agriculture insurance scheme has been revamped and a new national disaster fund has been established. A major issue with e commerce in agriculture sector was some of the regulations in Agriculture products marketing commodity Act APMC Act. Measures have been made to amend the existing act so as to exploit the potential of e commerce in the country. Storage capacity for grains and pulses has been increased in tune with the production. Entrepreneurship and skill development will be promoted on a large scale to improve employability. This will also facilitate new ventures in agribusiness and development of agriculture sector skills in the country. Kerala being a total literate and digitalised state can fully exploit the potential of online marketing. At a time price of cash crops are declining the budgetary suggestions will help the farmers to improve their rate of return from agriculture.