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Informist, Tuesday, Jul 23, 2024

--BUDGET: To give funding in challenge mode to agri research 

--To review agri research setup for climate resilient variety 

--To release 109 varities of 32 crops 

--To include domain expert to oversee farm research 

--To initiate 10 mln farmers into natural farming over 2 yrs 

--Will help natural farmers with certification and branding 

--Natural farming implementation through scientific research 

--Launch mission to strengthen output of pulses, oilseeds 

--To set up 10,000 need-based bio resource centres 

--To develop vegetable clusters, closer to consumption centres 

--To promote farmer-producer agencies, co-ops for farm supply 

--Launch mission to boost storage, marketing of pulses, oilseed 

--To promote farmer-producer agencies, co-ops for farm storage 

--To boost farmer-producer agencies, co-ops for farm marketing 

--Provision of 1.52 trln rupees for agri, allied sectors 

MUMBAI – The Centre will undertake a comprehensive review of the agricultural research setup to focus on increasing productivity and developing climate-resilient varieties, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget for 2024-25 (Apr-Mar) in the Lok Sabha today. Domain experts, both from the government and outside, will oversee the conduct of such research, Sitharaman said. 

Funding for agricultural research will be provided, including to the private sector, in challenge mode. The government will introduce 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticulture crops for cultivation by farmers, according to the speech. 

In the next two years, 10 mln farmers across the country will be initiated into natural farming, supported by certification and branding, Sitharaman said. It will be implemented through scientific institutions and willing gram panchayats, and 10,000 need-based bio-input resource centres will be established, she said. 

Additionally, the government will strengthen the production, storage, and marketing of pulses and oilseeds to achieve its target of self-efficiency. As announced in the Interim Budget, a strategy is being put in place to achieve "atmanirbharta" for oilseeds such as mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower, she said.

In terms of perishable agricultural produce, the government will develop large-scale clusters for vegetable production closer to major consumption centres. Farmer-producer organisations, cooperatives, and start-ups for vegetable supply chains, including for collection, storage, and marketing, will be promoted.

The government will also launch the fourth phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to provide all-weather connectivity to 25,000 rural habitations, which have become eligible in view of the increase in their population.  

The Budget has provided for a total outlay of 1.52 trln rupees on agriculture and allied sectors in the current financial year.  End

Reported by Taniva Singha Roy

Edited by Manisha Baxla

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