Budget 2021-22: Govt ought to present extra funds, incentives for agri sector, say specialists

The authorities ought to present extra funds in addition to incentives within the upcoming Budget to advertise indigenous farm analysis, oilseeds manufacturing, meals processing and natural farming for the general development of the agriculture sector, in keeping with trade specialists.
The direct profit switch (DBT) scheme ought to be utilised extra to help farmers as a substitute of giving subsidies, they added.
“Food processing industry has played an important role in better price realisation for the farmer and reducing the cost of intermediaries. The budget must provide special incentives to food processing through incentives such as interest subvention, lower taxes, access to technology and so on,” DCM Shriram Chairman and Senior MD Ajay Shriram stated.
Referring to the profitable PM-KISAN scheme beneath which Rs 6,000 is paid yearly immediately into farmers financial institution accounts, he stated the DBT mechanism ought to be fine-tuned and regularly ought to be utilized to help farmers in lieu of different subsidies.
“Let the farmer decide how to judicially use the money. With the benefit of DBT, farmers can then buy better seed, use new-age fertilizers, optimize water usage and so on,” Shriram stated.
Stating that many Indian startups have invested within the agri-technology house, he advocated for a coverage that encourages development of those firms and adoption of newest methods.
He stated there has not been any vital breakthrough lately from indigenous agricultural analysis and growth (R&D) and this might be partly on account of useful resource crunch.
“Two areas that need immediate attention are firstly linking agricultural research with industry requirements and secondly avoiding ideological resistance to new-age technologies such GM crops,” Shriram stated.
Consulting agency Deloitte India recommended that extra funds ought to be allotted for analysis and growth in addition to for growing the home manufacturing of oilseeds to scale back imports of cooking oils.
Stating that livestock farming is among the key pillars for augmenting farmers’ revenue, the consulting agency stated one of many huge impediments for growth of this sector is the prevalence of assorted illnesses that have an effect on mortality, productiveness, and general manufacturing.
“Supply of vaccines is not adequate to address the increasing demand. Funding for developing vaccines and creating necessary infrastructure would be required in this budget,” Deloitte stated.
Chirag Arora, Founder, Organisch Overseas, stated the federal government should encourage farmers to undertake natural farming.
“The need of the hour is to encourage the private sector into the space by offering tax incentives to startups venturing into this domain. It also needs to augment investment on creation of cold-chains and increase storage capabilities,” Arora stated.
Last month, in a digital pre-budget session with the finance ministry, Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) had stated that the federal government ought to incentivise balanced use of fertilisers by growing urea value and decreasing charges of phosphatic and potassic (P&Okay) vitamins within the upcoming Budget.
BKS Chairman Ajay Vir Jakhar had additionally sought discount in taxes on diesel and transport subsidy on vegatables and fruits, however demanded tax on unhealthy meals. He had pitched for tripling funding for micro-irrigation and photo voltaic pumps for particular person farmers in addition to funding for distribution of soil moisture measuring sensors.
“Prioritize investment in human resources over infrastructure. There are about 50 per cent vacancies in agriculture research institutions across India. Target 2 per cent expenditure on agri R&D of agriculture GDP over the next few years,” BKS had stated.