Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Slew Of Measures For Farmers

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday, announced a wide range of economic measures being initiated by the government as part of the Rs. 20 lakh crore stimulus announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday night. In her third media briefing, the Union Finance Minister outlined the measures in the third tranche related to agriculture and allied activities including fisheries and food processing.

The Union Finance Minister pointed out that India is the largest producer of milk, jute and pulses and the second is the largest producer of sugarcane, fisheries and several other sectors.

Nirmala Sitharaman hailed farmers who successfully completed Rabi crop operations.

The Union Finance Minister spelt out 11 measures related to agriculture 3 of which focus on governance.

The Finance Minister pointed out that Rs. 18700 crore DBT transfers done to farmers accounts over the last two months. Rs. 74,300 crore worth Minimum Support Price (MSP) purchases have been made in two months to help farmers, she pointed out. Similarly, 560 lakh litres of milk was being bought by the government on a per-day basis and this has 2 crore farmers benefited through this.

The Finance Minister said that Rs. 6400 crore pay-outs had been made through Kisan Bima Yojana.

Nirmala Sitharaman announced the following measures on Friday 8 of which related to agriculture and 3 to governance and administration.

Infrastructure capacity building

• Fund of one lakh crore for cooperatives, aggregators and FPOs to strengthen the farm supply chain

• This will cover cold chains, storage centres, yards

Rs.10,000 crores for food enterprises micro in size

• Will help them market their products globally

• Health and wellness products, organic products, nutritional products and herbal products among other things.

• 2 lakh micro-units will stand to benefit

• Focus would be on local produce, on women and SC/STs.

• States with forestry produce can focus on this aspect.

Rs. 11,000 Crore for Marine and Inland Fisheries Logistics capacity under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

• Will give an impetus to marine activities and fisheries

• Will employ 55 lakh people

• Insurance for fishing vessels and fishermen

• Capacity will increase to 70 lakh tonnes

• Rs. 9,000 Cr for infrastructure

Rs.13,343 Crore to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease

• India has the highest livestock wealth in the world.

• Will help 100% vaccination of all animals.

• 1.5 cr animals vaccinated from January and will be continued in green zones.

Rs 15,000 Crore for Animal Husbandry Development Infrastructure

• Will spur growth in the dairy sector

• Will help dairy production

• Will support private investment, cattle feed and will aid export

Rs. 4000 Cr for Promotion of Medicinal and Herbal Plants

• 10 lakh additional acres will get cultivated

• Will generate income of Rs.5000 crores to farmers

• Herbal and medicinal plants can be grown on both sides of the Ganga and will benefit local farmers

Rs. 500 crores for Bee-keeping Initiatives/Infrastructure Fund

• Two lakh bee-keepers will benefit

• Will aid cross-pollination

• Will generate employment in the rural sector even if it is a small level.

• Will include marketing and post-harvest facilities

Rs. 500 Crore for Operation Greens To Cover All Vegetables

• Will be seen as a pilot project for six months and will be continued depending upon its success.

• Will restart supply chains

• 50% subsidy on storage and transportation

• Subsidy includes cold storage

The Finance Minister announced the following measures related to governance:

Essential commodities act to be amended for better prices for farmers

• The Act has been in force since 1955

• Will deregulate cereals and pulses

• No stock limit for food processors

• Export demand will not be affected

• Stock limit only in exceptional situations

Central law to enable farmers sell produce across states

• There will be no barriers for farmers to sell their produce in other states

• Framework for farmers to engage in e-trading

• Will ensure fair price to farmers

• Farmers to get additional choice in selling their produce

Legal framework for Assurance of price and quality to farmers

• Ensure assured returns

• Will create a framework for price and fair trade with retailers, aggregators

• Well eliminate exploitation of hard-working farmers and mitigate risks for the cultivators.