The Union Budget, introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman right here on Wednesday, introduced plenty of measures for the agriculture sector, together with a rise within the credit score goal to ₹20 lakh crore, with concentrate on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries. The allocations for the sector, such because the meals subsidy, nonetheless, noticed a drastic fall inviting criticism from farmers’ organisations.
The Finance Minister launched a “digital public infrastructure for agriculture” within the Budget. Ms. Sitharaman stated it will be constructed as an open supply, open customary and inter-operable public good. “This will enable inclusive, farmer-centric solutions through relevant information services for crop planning and health, improved access to farm inputs, credit, and insurance, help for crop estimation, market intelligence, and support for growth of agri-tech industry and start-ups,” she added.
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Another step, the ‘Agriculture Accelerator Fund’, she stated, will encourage agri start-ups by younger entrepreneurs in rural areas. “The fund will aim at bringing innovative and affordable solutions for challenges faced by farmers. It will also bring in modern technologies to transform agricultural practices, increase productivity and profitability,” Ms. Sitharaman stated.
The allocation for the Department for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare was ₹1,24,000 within the final Budget estimate, however ₹1,15,531.79 crore this time, a lower of about ₹8,469 crore. Though the Economic Survey advised shifting crop patterns as a result of sudden weather conditions, the allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana decreased from ₹15,500 crore within the final Budget’s estimates to ₹13,625 crore on this Budget. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) noticed an allocation of ₹60,000 crore, a lower of ₹8,000 crore in contrast with the final Budget. Allocation for the Department of Agricultural Research and Education has been elevated by about ₹1,000 crore.
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The Market Intervention Scheme and Price Support Scheme, which acquired ₹1,500 crore within the final Budget, was given simply rupees one lakh on this funds. There is a rise of ₹455 crore within the allocation for the formation and promotion of 10,000 farmer producer organisations.
The whole meals subsidy has decreased from ₹2,06,831.09 crore in 2022-23 to ₹1,97,350 crore on this Budget. In the revised estimates of 2022-23, the meals subsidy was ₹2,87,194.05 crore. The fertilizer subsidy significantly elevated when in comparison with the final Budget. In the final Budget, it was ₹1,05,262.23 crore, however within the revised estimate, it was ₹2,25,261.62 crore, primarily as a result of enhance within the costs of fertilizers and parts as a result of conflict in Ukraine. In this Budget, the estimated determine is ₹1,75,148.48 crore.
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) stated the narrative constructed round free ration allocation beneath the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana changing the pandemic time further foodgrain scheme, in precise is a farce given the lower in allocation to the meals subsidy. “The clear intention is to reduce spending on food security and the Public Distribution System. The reduced food subsidy bill has direct consequences for procurement of foodgrains,” the AIKS stated.
Source: www.thehindu.com