FM announced Special relief and credit support to Agriculture, hospitality, tourism dt. 15.05.2020
(Self-Reliant India Movement -III)
Overview of First Two Tranches:
The first tranche included measures for small businesses, the second aimed at helping migrant workers.
Key Highlights:
1. Today's initiatives 11 measures today includes:
11 booster shots for India's farmers
i) 8 relating to strengthening infrastructure, capacity, logistics
ii) 3 relate to governance and administrative reforms
2. Government Initiatives During Lockdown Period to support Farmers:
i) Minimum Support Price purchases worth 74,300 crores has taken place during lockdown
ii) Rs 18,700 transferred to farmers under PM KISAN
iii) Rs 6,400 crores released under PM Fasal Bima Yojana
iv) New scheme for interest subvention of 2%/ annum for dairy cooperatives
v) Additional 2% interest subvention on prompt payment/ interest servicing
3. Rs 1 lakh crore Liquidity Support provided - Agri Infrastructure fund
i) For aggregators, FPOs, primary agriculture societies for strengthening farm gate infrastructure
ii) For cold chains and post harvest infrastructure
iii) Specially for private and startups
iv) Rs. 1 lakh crore fund being created for Farmer Producer Organizations, aggregators, primary agriculture cooperative societies for strengthening farm-gate infrastructure such as cold chains, post harvest management infrastructure.
4. Support to micro food enterprises –
i) Fund of Rs 10,000 crores to be made
ii) Cluster-based approach to scheme depending on location
iii) 2 lakh enterprises will benefit
iv) For locally-made products to reach global markets
v) Focus on women, SCs/STs and aspirational areas
5. Animal Husbandry Additional Steps:
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Fund - Rs 15,000 crores fund to be established
i) New scheme has been launched for interest subvention @ 2% per annum to dairy cooperatives for 2020-21 aimed at unlocking Rs 5000 crores additional liquidity, benefitting 2 crore farmers
ii) Milk was being thrown on streets, since consumers were unable to buy it during lockdown, during this time, 560 lakh litres/day was procured by cooperatives, extra 111 crore litres bought, farmers got paid ? 4,100 crore
6. Agriculture Additional Steps:
Funds transfer worth Rs 18,700 crores has been done under PM KISAN in past 2 months and PM Fasal Bima Yojana claims worth Rs 6,400 crores released in past 2 months
7. Fisheries Sector Support
i) To help Fisheries sector, operations of Marine Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture has been relaxed to cover Inland Fisheries
ii) Registration of 242 shrimp hatcheries and rearing hatcheries has been extended for 3 months, operation of marine capture fisheries and aquaculture has been relaxed to cover inland fisheries
iii) All #COVID19 related deadline extensions relating to fisheries activities, many of them involving overseas contracts, have been honoured. Very many measures which will help marine and coastal farmers have been undertaken as promised
8. 100% vaccination of all cattle (nearly 53 crore animals) to eradicate foot and mouth disease
9. Support to Under Matsya Sampada Yojana
i) Rs 20,000 crore fund to be created to address critical gaps in fisheries value chain
ii) For integrated, sustainable, inclusive development of marine and inland fisheries
iii) Plug critical gaps in fisheries value chain;
iv) Provide employment to over 55 lakh persons
v) Double exports to Rs 1 lakh crore
10. Support and Promotion of herbal cultivation
i) Rs 4,000 crore to be allocated
ii) Up to 10 lakh hectare to be brought under herbal cultivation
iii) To generate Rs 5,000 crore income for farmers
iv) 800 hectares along Ganga for growing herbal and medicinal plants
11. Support For bee-keeping
i) Rs 500 crores for bee keeping initiatives to benefit 2 lakh keepers
ii) Production of wax to be encouraged
12. National Animal Disease Control Programme has been launched with total outlay of Rs. 13,343 crores for 100% vaccination of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population in India
13. Private entrepreneurs, startups who look to facilitate by procuring from farmers and seek to create value addition for the global market, but don't have infrastructure, will benefit from the ? 1 lakh crore fund
14. Promotion of Herbal Cultivation – Rs. 4000 Crore
i) To promote Herbal Cultivation in India Government commits Rs 4000 crore;
ii) move aims to cover 10 lakh hectare under herbal cultivation in 2 years; corridor of medicinal plants to come up across banks of Ganga
15. Government will promote: Operation Green
i) Additional Rs 500 crores for supply chains disrupted by lockdown
ii) Includes all perishable items
iii) 50% subsidy on transport
iv) 50% subsidy on storage
v) Pilot for 6 months
vi) Will be extended once pilot is cleared
16. Top to Total
In a major announcement, Government extends Operation Greens from Tomatoes, Onion and Potatoes (TOP) to ALL fruits and vegetables
Major Reforms related governance and administrative
1. Essential Commodities Act (1955) amended
i) To tackle abundance of crops
ii) Cereals, edible oils, oil seeds, potato and onion to be deregulated
iii) No stock limit shall apply for storage
iv) to enable better price realisation for farmers;
v) Agriculture food stuffs including cereals,
2. Fair price for farmers
i) Central law to provide farmers choice to sell at attractive prices
ii) Inter-state trade to be made barrier-free
iii) E-trade of produce should be facilitated
3. Standard mechanism for predictable pricing
i) Legal framework to help farmers to fix their own price
ii) Assured price return quantity for farmers prior to sowing
iii) To increase availability on farming technology and selling opportunities
Source: News / Press Conference & Twitter
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Article Compiled by
Lalit Rajput,
Company Secretary,
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Email: lalitrajput537@gmail.com
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