8/11/2019 New Govt Focus on Agri - For Comments (3)

1/6

Address by The President Of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee To Parliament9th

June 2014

Containing food inflation will be the topmost priority for my government.

o There would be an emphasis on improving the supply side of various agro and agro-based

products.

o My government will take effective steps to prevent hoarding and black marketing.

o It will reform the Public Distribution System, incorporating best practices from the States.

o My government is alert about the possibility of a subnormal monsoon this year and

contingency plans are being prepared.

Agriculture is the source of livelihood for majority of our people. In the recent past, our farmers

have been under severe stress with hopelessness driving some of them to suicides.

o My government is committed to reversing this unfortunate trend.

o It will increase investment in agriculture, both public and private, especially in Agri-

infrastructure.

o

Steps will be taken to convert farming into a profitable venture through scientific practicesand Agro-technology.

o My government will address issues pertaining to pricing and procurement of agricultural

produce, crop insurance and post-harvest management.

o Productivity of Animal Husbandry will be increased.

o My government will incentivize the setting up of food processing industries.

o Existing cooperative sector laws will be reviewed to remove anomalies and lacunae.

o My government will adopt a National Land Use Policy which will facilitate scientific

8/11/2019 New Govt Focus on Agri - For Comments (3)

2/6

o My government will adopt a National Land Use Policy which will facilitate scientific

PM's reply on motion of thanks on President's address in Lok Sabha (http://pmindia.nic.in/details64.php)

There must greater focus on agro-technology that includes agro-based industries and better soil-testing facilities.

Despite being recognized as a global leader in Information Technology, we still do not have real-

time data of agro-products.

Giving the example of Sikkim emerging as a big producer of organic food, he asked why the entire

north-east cannot be made an organic hub to meet the emerging global demand for organic

produce. He said we have agri-universities, but the transition from "lab to land" is not happening to

the extent that it should.

Promise to reduce inflation is not an empty slogan it is a resolve, because the poorest of the poor

too must have sufficient food to eat.

8/11/2019 New Govt Focus on Agri - For Comments (3)

3/6

8/11/2019 New Govt Focus on Agri - For Comments (3)

4/6

8/11/2019 New Govt Focus on Agri - For Comments (3)

5/6

5

Re-orient pest management and control programs.

7. Food processing

Implement & incentivize setting up of the food processing industry

Aim to set up 'agro food processing clusters', with high value, export-quality and vacuum packed food processing

facilities, etc.

8a.R&D Ensuring food, agricultural, nutritional and environmental, wealth, health and energy security of the people on a

sustainable basis, using science and technology

Encouraging research and innovation in areas of relevance for the economy and society, particularly by promoting

close and productive interaction between private and public institutions. Sectors such as agriculture (particularly

soil, water management, human and animal nutrition and fisheries), water, health, education, industry, energy

including renewable energy, communication and transportation would be accorded highest priority. Leveraging of

technologies such as information technology, biotechnology and material sciences would be done with special

importance

Encouraging research and application to meet the challenges of climate change and for forecasting, prevention and

mitigation of natural hazards, particularly floods, cyclones, earthquakes, drought and landslides.

8b. GMO

Genetically Modified (GM) foods will not be allowed without full scientific evaluation on its long-term effects on soil,production and biological impact on consumers

9. Investment & profitability in agri Increase public investment in agriculture and rural development

Take steps to enhance the profitability in agriculture, by ensuring a minimum of 50% profits over the cost of

production, cheaper agriculture inputs and credit; introducing latest technologies for farming and high yielding seeds

and linking MGNREGA to agriculture.

Put in place welfare measures for farmers above 60 years in age, small and marginal farmers and farm labours.

10.Land BJP will adopt a 'National Land Use Policy', which will

Look at the scientific acquisition of non-cultivable land, and its development

Protect the interest of farmers and keep in mind the food production goals and economic goals of the country.

11. Others

11a. Credit & Insurance Implement a farm insurance scheme to take care of crop loss due to unforeseen natural calamities.

Strengthen and expand rural credit facilities.

8/11/2019 New Govt Focus on Agri - For Comments (3)

6/6