While appreciating the significant relief measures announced by Union Finance Minister in third tranche of Rs 20 lakh crore support package, Dr D K Aggarwal, president, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a press statement issued here recently that the focus on agriculture and allied activities will help in addressing rural stress, ensure food security, support demand and growth in manufacturing sector, create employment and attain socio-economic development of the country.

 

Agriculture sector is the low hanging fruit at this juncture as we have opportunity to boost more and more growth in agriculture with lot of efforts and technology supported by the relief measures announced by FM to provide much needed push to farm sector which will lead to growth of manufacturing sector and spur overall economic growth trajectory of the country, according to Dr Aggarwal.

 

“Plethora of relief measures for agriculture and rural sector will help to achieve the vision of our Prime Minister to double the farmers’ income by 2022,” said Dr Aggarwal.

 

“The announcement on removing the norm for farmers to sell agriculture produce only to licensees in APMCs is appreciable as it will provide adequate choices to them to sell their produce at attractive prices in a common market,” he added.

 

“Amendment of Essential Commodities Act and deregulation of agriculture food stuffs including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato will enable better price realisation for farmers to attract private investments and make agriculture sector competitive,” observed Dr Aggarwal.

 

“The relief measures on extending Operation Green from Tomato, Onion and Potatoes (TOP) to all fruits and vegetables (TOTAL) in a pilot project for six months will lead to a better price realisation for farmers, reduce wastages and promote affordability of products by consumers,” he opined.

 

Allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore for Agri Infrastructure Fund will strengthen cold chain and post-harvest management infrastructure in the vicinity of farm gate for farmers, according to Dr Aggarwal.

 

“Fund of Rs 10,000 crore for formalisation of micro food enterprises (MFEs) in cluster-based approach will further strengthen the vision of our Prime Minister on Vocal for Local and expand our global outreach,” stated Dr Aggarwal.

  

The allocation of Rs 20,000 crore for fishermen under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) will provide significant impetus to production and exports of marine, inland fisheries and aquaculture and further strengthen infrastructure for fishing harbours, cold chain and markets, according to Dr Aggarwal.

 

The announcement on setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs 15,000 crore will tremendously support private investments in dairy processing, establishment of plants for export of niche products, strengthen value addition and cattle feed infrastructure.

 

To promote herbal cultivation in India, the decision to cover 10 lakh hectare in the next two years with an outlay of Rs 4,000 crore will give significant push to income generation of farmers in the coming times.

 

The relief measures for beekeeping initiatives with an outlay of Rs 500 crore will give boost to livelihood supporting activities in rural areas, increase income, capacity building of women and delivery of more quality-oriented honey to consumers.

 

Decision on implementing agriculture marketing reforms, assurance to farmers on Agriculture Produce Price and Quality and National Animal Disease Programme with total outlay of Rs 13,343 crore to ensure 100% vaccination of animals will provide much needed push to agriculture and allied sector, according to Dr Aggarwal.