Landmark Reforms in Indian Agriculture Explains Sanjay Agarwal

“Agriculture has a key role in making India a $5 trillion economy”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no doubt that agro is a robust industry in India and being among the top five exporters across the globe, India is a key player in the global agriculture market, says Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, in an interview with Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN).

A snapshot of India’s robust agriculture sector can be defined by a few facts — the industry contributes to 15 percent of the GDP & livelihood for over 50 percent of the population. According to the Agriculture Ministry, India is the world’s largest producer of spices, pulses, milk, tea, cashew, jute, bananas, jackfruits, etc. It is the secondlargest producer of wheat, rice, fruits and vegetables, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds. And, the country is ranked fourth among the largest producers of agrochemicals. Further, India boats of having largest livestock population of around 535.8 million which accounts to 31 percent of the world’s livestock. Also, the country has the largest land area under irrigation.

However, to enhance the agro-industry and aid the farmers, the Government of India is constantly putting in efforts to create a consistent and standardized Agri-framework across the country. The efforts are being made to attract capital and technology to the agrarian economy and provide better marketing interventions for both agricultural buyers & sellers. In this regard, the government has taken initiatives in the direction of providing seamless access to better marketing avenues for farmers’ produce and freeing up the sector from restrictive laws.

Policy Reforms to Create Free and Efficient Agri Ecosystem

Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce Ordinance 2020 — The government of India passed this ordinance to end the monopoly of the APMC. This allowed farmers to freely purchase and sell agricultural produce opening multiple market options (inter and intra-state). Also, the ordinance open doors for more private players to enter the Agro market.

Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm services– The policy was constituted in order to provide the legal framework for agreements between farmers and buyers including processors, wholesalers, large retailers, etc. As there is direct contact of the buyer and the seller and there is no conflict of APMC, the farmers can get a fair and better price for their produce. Moreover, the payments will be faster and direct and the move also ensures a consistent income to farmers.

To read more: https://egov.eletsonline.com/2020/08/landmark-reforms-in-indian-agriculture-explains-sanjay-agarwal/