At the outset, the normal expectation on this year’s budget would be proposal of certain hard steps to contain the staring inflation, which wounds the economy. This apart, the common man expects tough measures to reduce the cost of living, through appropriate financial tools and by offering more concessions and innovations to the primary sector of agriculture, to ensure more growth in agricultural production.More...
At the outset, the normal expectation on this year’s budget would be proposal of certain hard steps to contain the staring inflation, which wounds the economy. This apart, the common man expects tough measures to reduce the cost of living, through appropriate financial tools and by offering more concessions and innovations to the primary sector of agriculture, to ensure more growth in agricultural production.
ReplyDeleteEvery year, the government includes many sops for agriculture in the budget proposals, arousing large hopes in the minds of farmers with regard to betterment in their living conditions. Many of such budget promises are left unfulfilled or partly fulfilled. As a result, the country lacks real growth in agriculture, causing further deterioration in the agricultural sector culminating into food shortage. The significant contribution of inflation also comes from escalation of food prices mostly on account of shortage. Naturally, one expects good budgetary allocation to agriculture sector. The govt has to find means and ways for ensuring large private sector corporate participation in the sector along with adequate contribution from public sector enterprises. More funds are to be earmarked for conversion of raw agri outputs into value added products through healthy co-operation of agri and service sectors. Naturally, this would bring in more income to the farmers. Accordingly, more youngsters would be attracted to the sector through contract farming and group farming. The laws related to lease of agricultural land should be made more transparent and easily enforceable, free from legal complications. There should be provisions for conversion of sizeable quantity of dry land for cultivation through modern methods including drip, sprinkler irrigation or any other scientifically developed devices.Krishi Bhavans across the country should cease to be mere govt offices and good farmers should be allowed to head these throughout the country, along with agricultural experts and other govt. officials. Various constitutional bodies for the benefit of agriculture should be steered by active farmers with vast experience and commitment to agriculture. Concepts like subsidy should be made free of corrupt practices to ensure that the real benefits reach the farmers direct. The essence of the
-2-
Proposals should be to provide a decent living for the farmer and his family as well as
Availability of food items at affordable prices across the country. All in all, the budget should focus on bringing the farmer back to the centre space of growth. The farmer
Should get his glory back and the spirit of the old slogan, slogan ‘Jai jawan, jai kisan’ should come back here to ensure overall growth of the nation. The recent GDP projection in respect of agriculture and allied activities to 5.4% as against 0.4% last year gives some hopes in the matter. The projected betterment in the production of some food items like wheat also raises hopes. But the budgetary approach should offer more innovative reforms in the agricultural sector, bearing in mind those countries which failed in agricultural growth face ample number of domestic problems. Agriculture should receive its dues in the ongoing reforms process and the budget should take care of the sector, which is still ailing.
C P VELAYUDHAN NAIR, SHIVRAMSHREE,
NORTH EDAPPALLY, KOCHI
(Deputy Manager (Retd), State Bank of Travancore)
Cpvnair.nair@gmail.com