Page 42 - Putting Farmers First

AGRI-BUDGET

The budget set aside for a sector show
the priorities of a government. For years,
previous governments kept speaking
highly of the need to work for farmers.
However, speaking about farmers is
not enough. Governments must invest
in them, build infrastructure for them
and take enabling steps for their
welfare – and all of these need a good
budget to be set aside for the sector.

Modi government has allocated
record budgets in every domain
that impacts farmers. The budget
for agriculture in the period 2014-
19 is almost double of what it was
between 2009-14. Farm credit targets
have set records and so has the actual
credit given to farmers. Schemes like
PM-KISAN, which have brought an
additional source of income for the
marginal and small farmers, have seen
massive investment. Huge investments
are being made in developing
infrastructure near farmers’ lands that is
crucial for farmer welfare.

35 | Putting Farmers First