FM announces 16-point action plan to help farmers and rural growth

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam today while presenting Union Budget 2019-20 announced a 16-point action plan to help farmers and rural growth. An allocation of Rs 2.83 lakh crore has been announced for the agriculture sector. She said her government through this budget aims to meet the hopes and aspirations of all sections of the society. She said the government is committed to doubling farmers' income by 2022. 16 Action Points:

1 - Allocation: She allocated Rs2.83 lakh crore for agriculture and irrigation sector.

2 - Agricultural Laws: To encourage the state governments to follow the model agricultural laws framed by the centre

3 - Water Stress: She proposed comprehensive measures to address water issues in 100 water-stressed districts of India.

4 - Creation of Solar Power Stations: She proposed 20 lakh farmers will be helped in setting up standalone solar power sets for solar power generation - which can be sold to the Discoms - on their barren lands. Another 15 lakh farmers will be assisted to set up solar-aided pumps

5 - Balanced use of fertilizers: She quotes a Tamil poet, Avvaiyar, while suggesting the scheme on organic fertilisers. She said, there is a need to encourage a balanced used of fertilizers and this is a necessary step to change the prevailing incentive regime which promotes chemical fertilisers

6 - Cold Storage Creation: India has an estimated capacity of 162 metric tonnes of cold storage and warehousing and these facilities will be geo-tagged by NABARD. Agri-warehousing will be encouraged and the state governments will help with the land.

7 - Village storage scheme: She proposed a village storage scheme as abackward linkage which will be run by self-help groups (SHGs).

8 - Kisan Rail: Indian Railways will set up a Kisan Rail for transporting perishable goods. "To build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, Indian Railways will set up Kisan Rail through PPP model so that perishable goods can be transported quickly."

9 - Krishi Udaan scheme: Ministry of Civil Aviation will be launching Krishi Udaan scheme on national and international routes. "

10 - Promotion of Horticulture: Horticulture exceeds the production of food grains and that's why she proposed that her government will support states to focus on promoting horticulture and adopt one district one produce.

11 - Jaivik Khetia portal: The portal on jaivik khetia will be strengthened.

12 - E-warehousing: Financing of e-warehousing will be integrated

13 - NABARD refinance scheme: The scheme will be further expanded. The Agri credit for the fiscal has been set at Rs15 lakh crore.

14 - Disease elimination: She said her government intends to eliminate foot and mouth diseases affecting livestock.

15 - Milk Capacity: Milk capacity will be doubled to 108 metric tonnes

16 - Blue Economy: She proposed that fish production will be raised to 2 lakh tonnes. Marine fishery boost will help the youths in coastal areas as the government will involve youth in fisheries through Sagar Mitra scheme.