The Farm Reform Laws are
in line with the Government’s vision of ‘One Nation-One Market’
Panaji, October 4, 2020
Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar said that, the three Farm Reform Laws are going to change the fortune of agriculture in our country. The new laws will eradicate the fundamental problems plaguing the agriculture sector. Shri Prakash Javadekar today addressed Press Conference in Panaji, Goa on ‘Empowerment of Farmers’. Shri Chandrakant Kavalekar, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Government of Goa was also present.
By three farm reform laws, now the farmer who has been deprived for so many years, will determine the price of his agricultural produce. He will also have the choice whether to sell in the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) or the free market, he is now empowered with the right to determine to sell at the price he chooses, said Shri Javadekar.
The Farm Reform Laws are in line with the Government’s vision of ‘One Nation-One Market’. With GST, we now have ‘One Nation- One Tax’, By Setting up National Testing Agency we have ‘One Nation- One Examination’ and also the recently announced ‘One Nation- One Ration Card’ Scheme. So, in that line the Farm Laws will lead to the creation of ‘One Nation One Market’, Said Shri Javadekar.
Through the new reforms, under contract farming, it will be ensured that the ownership will remain with the farmer, the contract will only be regarding the crops. Contract farming will bring in new technology, new seeds, investment. Through the years low productivity is the biggest problem faced by our farmers. As investment will grow, the use of technology and new seeds will enhance the productivity.
The objective of agricultural reforms is to empower our farmers & increase agricultural productivity by bringing in new techniques, new seeds and new investment; and thus, to increase the contribution of agriculture to our national GDP.
Citing amendments in Essential Commodity Act, Shri Javadekar said that it will protect farmers from adverse market fluctuations, restrictions will be imposed only during extraordinary situations, this will enable farmers to get better worth for their produce.
Shri Javadekar further said that, all three Farm Reform Laws are meant to enable farmers to get better value for their produce, to give them the freedom and right to determine the price of their output. Three Farm Reform Laws are welcomed nationwide, he said.
Shri Prakash Javadekar said that, there are many myths regarding the agricultural reforms that are being propagated, but they are far away from reality. Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMC) are there, and will remain in future also, so as the Minimum Support Price(MSP). In fact, Government recently increased MSP and that benefitted to the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. The Government procurement is also taking place.
Government has increased Agricultural Budget. In 2009-10 agricultural budget was just Rs. 12,000 crore, it has now become Rs. 1.34 lakh crore.
The biggest misfortune of our farmers is that the middlemen who do not produce, get more remuneration than the farmer, voices are being raised against the reforms since the new laws hurt the interests of middlemen.
Apart from the agricultural reform laws, the Government has taken many initiatives for the welfare of the Farmers. Soil Health Card, Neem Coating of Urea, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to name a few.
Neem coating has reduced price & improved availability of fertilizers, benefiting land as well. Rs.15 Lakh Cr. worth agricultural loans are being provided at 4% interest; 77,000 Cr. relief has been given to farmers in last 5 years,
Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Farmers are getting Rs. 6,000 every year. Rs. 90,000 crores already been given in last 1.5 years.
Soil health card had benefitted 20 crore farmers, which provides scientific assessment of their land, tells them which crops and fertilizers are best suited for their land
Under the initiative of E-Mandi, 1,000 mandis have been connected to the internet and transactions worth one lakh crore happened so far. Government is helping 10,000 Farmer Producers’ Organizations to set up. ‘Kisan Railway’ has been started to transport agriculture produce across the country. Thus, Government has started basic reforms to give justice to our farmers.