'Budget '19 to increase farmers' income'
The present government, which has been continuously working on the motto of "Sabka Saath — Sabka Vikas", has once again, with Budget 2019, reaffirmed its commitment to the all-round development of agriculture sector and enhancing the income of farmers.
The budgetary allocation of the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Ministry has been raised by around 2.5 times from Rs 58,080 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 1,41,174.37 crore in 2019-20, which is 16.6 per cent more than Rs 1,21,082 crore during UPA (2009-14). That is why, the government in accordance with its philosophy of increasing both agricultural production and farmers' income, has created history in Budget 2019 by making provision of income support and other schemes with a focus on rural India.
To provide assured income support to the small and marginal farmers, the government has launched a historic programme "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)" entailing an annual expenditure of Rs 75,000 crore. Under this programme, vulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectare, will be provided direct income support at the rate of Rs 6,000 per year to ensure their investment and other needs.
This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each. The programme, a government of India funded scheme, will protect farmers from the clutches of moneylenders and ensure continuity in their farm activities and it will enable them to modernise their agricultural practices. The income support along with other schemes will help them live a life of dignity.
The PM-KISAN scheme will be made effective from December 1, 2018, and the first installment for the period upto March 31, 2019, would be paid during this year itself after identifying eligible farmers. A sum of Rs 20,000 crore has been proposed for this scheme in 2018-19.
It's the Modi government that started Rashtriya Gokul Mission for the first time in the country to promote the country's cattle and buffaloes and preserve their genetic resources in scientific and holistic form for continuous growth in the productivity of Indian bovine.
Considering its importance, the allocation of Rs 250 crore in Budget 2018-19 has been raised to Rs 750 crore and the "Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog" has been established to upscale sustainable genetic up-gradation of cow resources and to enhance production and productivity of cows.
It is clear from these provisions and Budget 2019 that the government has taken all steps to ensure development and income of our farmers. The fixing of minimum support price and providing income support will be helpful in doubling the income of farmers by 2022.
(The author is Union Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Minister)
