In the backdrop of unseasonal rain damaging Rabi crops, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh in an exclusive interview with Dhirendra Kumar talks about priorities and initiatives for the welfare of farmers. Excerpts
Climate change is destroying our crop cycle. What are the plans to protect crops from such climatic disturbances?
The NDA government has taken several measures to deal with the situation. The Prime Minister Council on Climate Change (PMCC) has circulated a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which envisages the creation of eight national missions.
The government has approved National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) for addressing the issue of climate change. Besides, the National Soil Health Card Mission has been launched, which will help climate mitigation indirectly. This mission seeks to address issues regarding sustainable agriculture in the context of risks associated with climate change by devising appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies for ensuring food security, enhancing livelihood opportunities and contributing to economic stability at the national level.
Is research being carried out to ensure that crops are not damaged due to inundated rain?
The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR), has taken a national initiative on climate resilient and identified 100 districts that are experiencing extreme weather conditions such as drought, declining water table, etc. Under this scheme, resilient varieties of crops and farming equipment are being provided to farmers. In addition to crop production, animal husbandry, dairy, fishery and forestry are also being covered under the scheme.
What has been done to simplify the process of disbursement of relief to farmers?
The Centre is committed to the welfare of farmers. We have taken several initiatives to simplify the process of disbursement of relief. The Centre has allotted Rs 5,685.95 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to all states in 2014-15 fiscal. For 2015-16, the Centre has released its first instalment under SDRF to Rajasthan, amounting Rs 413.50 crore and Rs 114.50 to J&K. The amount for UP will be released soon.
The issue of disbursement is being looked after the Ministry of Home. Also the agriculture ministry has directed states to disburse the relief fund from SDRF without any delay and in case of shortfall they should us their state contingency funds and submit their memorandums to avail assistance from NDRF.
What steps are being taken to control the fluctuating prices of potato/ onion?
In this regard, the agriculture ministry has written to all states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal where there is likelihood of increase in their prices, to purchase and maintain stocks of the same. The ministry has written to West Bengal, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh governments under market intervention scheme to make assessments of damaged crops of onions and potatoes and send proposals as per guidelines.
What are the objectives of unified national agricultural market?
The prime objective of this market is to avoid multiple licensing requirements for buyers to transact across the state and integrate buyers of one state to the famers of other states. The unified national agricultural market will help in removing internal trade barriers and bottlenecks and enable development and growth of internal trade and commerce seamlessly across the country, in all commodities. It also aims to enable farmers to sell their produce to the buyers and at place of their choice for getting better prices.
Could you please explain the objectivity of launching Pradhan Mantri Krishi Seechayee Yojana?
We all know that major part of agriculture is dependent on monsoonal rains. We have fertile lands but due to scarcity of water to fields, the productivity is very less. Our government launched this scheme with the objective to provide water to every field. The plan will help in increasing agricultural production and productivity by increasing availability of water and its efficient use. The centre will provide flexibility and autonomy to the states in the process of planning and executing programmes for ensuring water to every farm.
Are the proposed changes in the Land Acquisition Bill in favour of farmers?
The BJP government is in favour of development of our poor farmers. The changes in land bill are for the benefit of farmers. It has been observed that there were several shortcomings in the law of the Bill due to which rural development could not take place at a accelerated pace and also due to which water could not reach the farmers’ lands nor could road facility be developed in the rural areas. There were obstacles in establishing social infrastructures. Our government has strictly clarified that the government would not acquire land for the building private hospitals, schools. It would acquire land for government institutions only.
What is the Ministry doing to increase farmer’s income?
In our country, there is tremendous possibility of growth of agriculture sector as it has the potential to give employment to a large section of our population. For us, both production and productivity are twin objectives which we need to actively work upon. The principle of “less land - less time - more production” has to be practically implemented so that small and marginal farmers can make greater contribution in the field of agriculture.
Agriculture faces new challenges across the globe. We are also experiencing climate change. Growing income levels on one hand, and limited scope of bringing more land under cultivation on the other, underline the challenges of production keeping pace with demand. The task, therefore, is clear - to scale new peaks of agricultural productivity and farmer’s income for which new techniques
are required.