Page 43 - Putting Farmers First
P. 43
Record investments for record outcomes
Showing the government’s farmer-centric focus,
the budget set aside for agriculture almost
doubled from Rs 1.21 lakh crore during 2009-14 to
Rs 2.11 lakh crore during 2014-19.
Further, for the year 2020-21, the budget for this
sector is set at Rs 1.34 lakh crore, which is far more
than the total of 5 years of UPA’s second term
Direct income support for farmers got a massive
boost with over Rs 75,000 crore being given for
PM-KISAN initiative, under which farmers get Rs
6,000 per year.
Infrastructure near the farms is key to farmers’
welfare. Rs 1 lakh crore Agri-Infrastructure Fund has
been exclusively set up for this purpose.
Historic MSP increase was announced where, for the
first time ever, the minimum support price of all 22
crops was set at minimum 50% more than the cost.
In Rabi 2020, if we combine the procurement of
wheat, paddy, oilseeds and pulses, Rs 1.13 lakh crore
was paid to farmers in the form of MSP, assuring
their income in a pandemic year. This is a 30%
increase from the previous year.
Budget for Agriculture
(In Rs lakh crore)
2.11
1.21
2009-14 2014-19
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