·     Today, in 3rd Tranche of the “Self Reliant India Movement”, focus was made on Agriculture.

·     Finance Minister said that the announcements made today will provide long-term and sustained impact on lives of farmers, fishermen, food processing micro enterprises.

·     11 measures were announced, out of which 8 measures were related to Farmers and 3 measures were related to Government & Administrative Reforms.

·     Following measures were announced :

FARMERS

          A)    ‘TOP’ to ‘TOTAL’

Operation ‘Green’ will be extended from Tomatoes, Onions & Potatoes (TOP) to ALL fruits & vegetables (TOTAL).

ü  Under this scheme 50% subsidy will be provided on transportation from surplus to deficient markets and storage, including cold storages.

ü  Implemented to prevent distress sale and reduction of price of perishable fruits and vegetables at the farm level.

ü  This will be Pilot for 6 months – will be expanded and extended.

B)     National Animal Disease Control Programme

ü  Programme to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis among animals.

ü  100% vaccination of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population which is about 53 crore animals.

ü  Till date 1.5 crore cows and buffaloes tagged and vaccinated.

C)     Bee-keeping Initiatives

ü  Development of quality nucleus stock and bee breeders.

ü  Includes Infrastructure development related to Integrated Beekeeping Development Centers, Collection, Marketing and Storage Centers, Post-Harvest & value Addition facilities etc.

ü  Capacity building with thrust on women.

ü  Will lead to increase in income for 2 lakh beekeepers and quality honey to consumers.


        D)    Promotion of Herbal Cultivation with the help of National Medical Plant Board (NMPB)

ü  10,00,000 Hectares for Herbal Production in next 2 years (outlay of Rs. 4,000 cr.).

ü  Lead to Rs. 5,000 crores income generate for farmers.

ü  Developing a corridor of medicinal plants along the banks of river Ganga.


        E)     Farm-gate infrastructure for farmers

ü  An Agri-Infrastructure Fund of Rs. 1 Lakh crore will be created immediately for facilitating Agriculture Infrastructure Projects at Farm Gates and aggregation points.

ü  Will help in providing affordable and financially viable Post Harvest Management infrastructure

 

        F)     Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises (MFE)

ü  To help 2 lakh MFEs attain attain above goals

ü  Implemented to prevent distress sale and reduction of price of perishable fruits and vegetables at the farm level.

ü  Supports technical upgradation to attain FSSAI food standards, build brands and marketing.

ü  Cluster based approach (e.g. Mango in UP, Kesar in J&K, Bamboo shoots in North-East, Chilli in Andhra Pradesh, etc.)

ü  Promotes vision : 'Vocal for Local with Global outreach'

 

        G)    Rs 20,000 crores for Fishermen through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

ü  Provide integrated, sustainable, inclusive development of marine and inland fisheries

ü  Include

(1)   Rs 11,000 cr for activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture  

(2)   Rs.9000 cr for Infrastructure - Fishing Harbours, Cold chain, Markets etc.

ü  Provisions of Ban Period Support to fishermen (during the period fishing is not permitted), Personal & Boat Insurance

ü  Will lead to Additional Fish Production of 70 lakh tonnes over 5 years and  Employment to over 55 lakh persons; double exports to Rs 1,00,000 Cr.

 

        H)    Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs. 15,000 crores

ü  Private investment in Dairy Processing, value addition and cattle feed infrastructure.

ü  Incentives for establishing plants for export of niche products.


GOVERNMENT & ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS
 

        I)       Amendments to Essential Commodities Act

ü  Agriculture food stuffs including cereals, edible oils, oil-seeds, pulses, onions and potato to be deregulated.

ü  Stock limit to be imposed under very exceptional circumstances like national calamities, famine with surge in prices.

ü  No stock limit applicable to processors or value chain participant, subject to their installed capacity or to any exporter subject to the export demand.

ü  Enable better price realization for farmers.


        J)      Providing marketing choices to farmers

ü  Currently, farmers bound to sell produce only to Licensees in APMCs.

ü  Central Law will be formulated for :

(1)   Choices to farmer to sell produce at attractive price either offline or through e-trading.

(2)   They will be allowed for Inter-State Trade of their produce.

 

        K)     Agriculture Produce Price and Quality Assurance

ü  Legal framework will be created to enable farmers for engaging with processors, aggregators, large retailers, exporters etc. in a fair and transparent manner.

ü  Risk mitigation for farmers, assured returns and quality standardisation shall form integral part of the framework.


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