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(GIST OF YOJANA) Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture

(SEPTEMBER-2024)

Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture

Context:

The Union Budget (2024-25) has echoed the sentiments of the Government towards agriculture by designating it as one of the priority sectors in the strategic roadmap for ‘Viksit Bharat’. In her budget speech, the Finance Minister identified nine priority areas in which ‘Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture’ occupied the top slot. An allocation of Rs 1.52 lakh crore has been made for agriculture and allied sectors to support ongoing schemes and new programmes for agricultural development and farmers’ welfare.

Research and Roadmap

Time and again, scientific research has proven its critical importance in agriculture development through the 31s (Intervention, Invention and Innovation). The nation is proud of having one of the world’s largest agricultural research, extension and education networks. But now it needs to be fine-tuned to tackle new and emerging challenges. Hence, the Government proposed ‘a comprehensive review of the agricultural research setup to bring the focus to raising productivity and developing climate resilient varieties’.
Government funding will be provided to develop appropriate interventions to address specific challenges. To make the effort more widespread, the private sector will also be involved in research and oversee the conduct of research.
Despite impressive self-sufficiency in foodgrains, milk and other major commodities, the production of pulses and oilseeds is still struggling with many challenges. To meet increasing domestic demand for both of these essential commodities, the Government relies on imports, causing a dent on exchequer.
The Government has already taken several initiatives to increase production and productivity of pulses and oilseeds and has now again emphasised it in its budget presentation.
The National Food Security Mission—Pulses, operational in 28 states and two Union Territories, aims for area expansion and productivity-enhancement through various interventions such as cluster demonstrations on improved packages of practices, cropping systems, seed production, etc.
In addition, the certified seeds of high-yielding varieties of pulses are provided in the form of seed minkits at no cost to the farmers. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for pulses has also been increased over the years to encourage farmers to grow more pulses by ensuring remunerative prices. In an almost similar pattern, the National Food Security Mission-Oilseeds is encouraging farmers to take up cultivation of oilseeds by providing incentives.

Fisheries and Forex

The fisheries sector, often referred to as a’sunrise sector’, has emerged as a significant contributor to the national economy, and also supports the livelihood of approximately 30 million people, mainly belonging to marginalised and vulnerable communities.
The Government is consistently taking steps to accelerate development in this sector, which is also beaming with ample export opportunities. Last year (2022-23), India recorded fish production of 17.54 million tonnes, making it the third largest producer globally.
In the current budget, the Department of Fisheries has been earmarked Rs 2616 crore, a jump of 54 per cent over Rs 1701 crore in last fiscal. A major chunk of Rs 2352 crore is allocated to boost activities under the flagship scheme ‘PM Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY).
While presenting the interim budget, the Finance Minister said PMMSY is being stepped up to enhance aquaculture productivity from the existing 3 to 5 tonnes per hectare, doubling exports to Rs 1 lakh crore and generating 55 lakh employment opportunities.
Five integrated aquaparks will be established along with the launch of Blue Revolution 2.0 to bolster the sustainable and holistic development of the fisheries sector in India. Aiming for large-scale exports from fisheries sector, the Government has proposed several initiatives and measures in the current budget.
Now, financing for shrimp farming, processing and export will be facilitated through the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Further, financial support for setting up a network of Nucleus Breeding Centres (NBC) for shrimp brood stocks will be provided.
Thus, the availability of quality brood fish for quality seed production will be ensured. NBCs will improve the genetic quality of aquaculture species for higher quality and significantly reduce the country’s dependence on import of shrimp broodstock.
To support this activity further, the Finance Minister announced a reduction in Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on certain broodstock, polychelate worms, shrimp and fish feed to five per cent.
Customs duty on various inputs for the manufacture of shrimp and fish feed now stands exempt. During the last fiscal, India’s seafood exports hit an all-time high of over Rs 60,000 crore, of which frozen shrimp had a major share, nearly two-thirds, of the total. Shrimp exports have increased significantly to Rs 40,013 crore in 2023-24 from Rs 8,175 crore in 2011.

Conclusion:

Budget allocations and provisions for agriculture and allied sectors have a visionary approach to making India a self-reliant and developed nation by 2047. Further, welfare and financial empowerment of poor and small farmers are at the core.