Big budget required for smooth implementation of agriculture sector schemes
30-Jul-2024 08:56 PM
New Delhi. Some leading agricultural economists say that whatever claims are made about the increase in agricultural production and the growth rate of agriculture and allied sector, the reality is that its performance has been weak during the last few years.
A clear indication of this is found in the frequent changes in the government's import export policy. Import of edible oils is reaching new record levels while the import of pulses is increasing tremendously.
On the other hand, there is a ban on the commercial export of non-basmati white rice and 100 percent broken rice, wheat and its value added products and sugar etc.
Despite government measures, food inflation is increasing, the main reason for which is believed to be the supply side being very weak. Supply is decreasing due to decrease in production.
The government intends to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of pulses and oilseeds and for this, it has been announced to reactivate the National Oilseeds Mission.
During the interim budget in February, emphasis was laid on making a new policy for the promotion of production of soybean, mustard, groundnut, sesame and sunflower and now it was also discussed in the final budget of July.
There has been an effort to increase the production of pulses and the government has resolved to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency in this by the end of the year 2027.
Billions of dollars are being spent every year on the import of pulses and edible oils, which is filling the pockets of the exporting countries.
During the last decade, there has been a lot of fluctuation in the domestic production of pulses and oilseeds crops, but the demand and consumption of pulses and edible oils has been continuously increasing. Due to this, the gap between demand and supply also increased.
Now it has taken the form of a serious problem. The government is paying special attention to bridging the gap indirectly, due to which direct measures have been left behind.
Huge funds will be required for these direct measures and the government should make extra efforts for this.