Sitharaman's Mega COVID-19 Relief Package Commits To Revive Farm Sector By Supporting Local Chains

In the third round of press briefings, Finance Minister detailed eight unique steps backed by fiscal support to build local brands, cold-chain and warehousing infrastructure and promote animal husbandry and fisheries in the country.

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday came out with a slew of fiscal measures along with regulatory reforms to revive the agriculture and allied sectors under the mega Rs 20 lakh crore economic package for the 'Self-reliant India Movement' announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently. The minister detailed eight unique steps backed by fiscal support to build local brands, cold-chain and warehousing infrastructure and promote animal husbandry and fisheries in the country. Not just fiscal measures, regulatory reforms will also be carried out, Sitharaman said. She pointed out that amendments to the Essential Commodities Act will be made and a legal route would be taken to free the farmers to sell their produce in any market that provides remunerative prices, rather than restricting such sales only to the licensee in the APMCs. At present, under the APMC Act, farmers are required to sell their produce only in designated mandis at prices that are often regulated, and many times lower than the prevailing market price. This restricts the farmers' earnings and curbs their ability to take their produce for further processing or exports. Detailing the measures, Sitharaman announced that Rs 1 lakh crore would be spent to create warehouses and cold-chains for the agriculture sector. Besides, she announced a Rs 20,000 crore scheme for fishermen through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for integrated, sustainable and inclusive development of marine and inland fisheries. Composition-wise, the scheme will include Rs 11,000 crore for promotion of activities in marine, inland fisheries and aquaculture, while the rest Rs 9,000 crore will be spent for creating infrastructure such as fishing harbours, cold-chain and markets. Sitharaman also announced the launch of a National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis' with a total outlay of Rs 13,343 crore. The minister further announced an Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund worth Rs 15,000 crore to encourage the establishment of processing plants for export of niche products. Besides, a Rs 10,000 crore cluster-based manufacturing scheme for nutritional products was also announced by the minister. Watch | Rs 500 crore allocated for disrupted supply chains due to lockdown: FM She said that the scheme is in line with the Prime Minister's call for 'Vocal for Local' with global outreach. It is expected to help 2 lakh MFEs attain FSSAI gold standards, build brands and boost marketing. Further, Operation Greens scheme whereby subsidy is provided on transportation and storage of tomato, onion and potato will be extended to all fruits and vegetable produce in the country. Terming the decision as "TOP to TOTAL", Sitharaman said that the government will shell out Rs 500 crore for the scheme. Promotion of herbal cultivation also got a boost with an outlay Rs 4,000 crore. This is expected to add 10,00,000 hectares under cultivation of these plants in the next two years. Additionally, a Rs 500 crore beekeeping initiative has been instituted. This is expected to increase the income for 2 lakh beekeepers and provide quality honey to the consumers.