Budget 2019: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Likely To Lay Special Focus On Agriculture Sector

As soon as government came back to power, agriculture was the main topic of discussion during first NITI Aayog meet, and focus was laid on bringing in developments in the sector; also discussions were held on how to increase the investments of corporate/ private sectors.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal on Tuesday said the government will emphasise on agriculture development and farmers' welfare for bringing poverty below five per cent over the next five years.

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present 2019 budget in the parliament on Friday. This will be the first budget of re-elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, which has been re-elected with absolute majority; therefore every sector has many hopes from this budget. Considering the promises made by the government to the farm sector, several big announcements can be expected in the same. As soon as government came back to power, agriculture was the main topic of discussion during first NITI Aayog meet, and focus was laid on bringing in developments in the sector; also discussions were held on how to increase the investments of corporate/ private sectors. A plan was presented on bringing in three kinds of improvements:

• Contract farming
• Improvement in mandi committee
• Scheme for Improvement in Essential Commodities Act

In the first cabinet meeting, 3 crore people were covered under PM Kisan Scheme for all farmers. However this will increase the financial expenditure. There will also be provisions in the budget for this. Approximately 87000 crores of expenditure is being estimated and its financial management will be a big task. This will be the largest provision in this budget. The problem of pulse has become adequate. Now, to increase production of oilseeds, the government can make some provisions in the budget. Still, self-reliance has not been made for oilseeds. It has to be dependent on foreign products.