New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the focus of Union Budget 2022 is to make agriculture modern and smart.
Addressing a post-budget webinar on smart agriculture, PM Modi said: "Agriculture budget has increased multifold in only six years. For farmers, there has been a 2.5 times rise in agricultural loans in seven years".
"A special drive connected 3 crore small farmers with KCC facilities during COVID," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The Prime Minister recalled a "happy coincidence" that three years ago, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi was launched on this day. "Today this scheme has become big support for the small farmers of the country," he mentioned.
"Direct money transfer in the bank accounts of 10-12 crore farmers in just one click is a matter of pride for every Indian," the Prime Minister said.
He emphasised that due to the promotion of organic farming, the market for organic products has also become worth Rs 11,000 crores today. "The export of organic products has also increased from Rs 2,000 crores to Rs 7,000 crores in 6 years," he added.
ALSO READ | India's GDP To Be Just 1% Above Pre-Pandemic Levels In FY22, Says RBI Deputy Governor Michael Patra
Budget Suggests Seven Steps To Make Agriculture Modern And Smart: PM Modi
Talking about the Union Budget 2022, PM Modi said that this budget suggests seven steps to make agriculture modern and smart. The measures include processing natural farming on a mission mode along 5 km area of Ganga river banks, providing modern tech to agriculture and horticulture farmers, focusing on oilseeds for a reduction on edible oil imports.
"The budget's fourth goal is to prepare a new logistic facility under PM Gati Shakti for the transportation of farming-related produce. Another solution is to organise agri-waste management better and increase farmers' income by solutions of waste energy," he added.
He said that the sixth solution is to provide regular bank facilities in over 1.5 lakh post offices, for farmers' ease. The last one is to bring a change in the syllabus of agri-research and education for contemporary skill and human-resource development.
Notably, the Prime Minister urged startups to come forward for setting up a network of soil testing labs.
"Artificial intelligence is going to change the trade associated with farming in the 21st century. The greater use of drones in farming is part of this change. Drone technology will be available on a scale only when we promote agri startups," he said.
Measures For Agri-Residue Management To Reduce Carbon Emission, Increase Farmers' Income: PM Modi
PM Modi emphasised that it is important to manage agri-residue: "For this, some new measures have been introduced in this budget, which will reduce carbon emission and also increase farmers' income".
The Prime Minister expressed confidence in the Budget 2022, saying, "If we move forward by bringing our farmers, our agriculture universities, our Agri students on one platform, the Budget will not be merely a game of statistics. Budget can become a very important instrument of agricultural transformation, as well as transformation in village life."