Our Union Government presents a general budget and a separate budget for the Railways. Railway is bestowed with special attention as it is the main artery of transportation of goods and people across India. Railways have been accorded top priority as it is a portfolio connected with the Indian masses. It is pertinent to note that India will remain a predominantly agricultural country during most of the time of the 21st century, particularly with reference to livelihood opportunities. So the demand for a separate and independent budget for Indian agriculture is very topical.
Agriculture continues to remain the backbone of Indian economy. In spite of our advancements in the technological and industrial sector, agriculture and allied activities continues to provide livelihood opportunities to around 58 per cent of our total workforce. With 60% of the land being arable, India is the second largest country in terms of total arable land. Annually, Indian agriculture produces 264 tonnes of food grains and contributes to ten percent of the total exports. No doubt, growth of this sector is an essential perquisite for our overall economic growth.
Despite all these facts, agriculture is not receiving due support in economic terms. Our goal of food self-sufficiency can only work if agriculture gets the necessary attention it deserves. Public policy support is crucial for ensuring this. Though declarations and promises to earmark considerable amounts for agricultural development and farmer welfare programmes are galore in each year’s general budget, the outlays don’t become outcomes, due to the lack of proper attention, monitoring and evaluation. A better management is indispensable for turning the outlays into outcomes, so that the interest of real farmer is protected and promoted.
Agriculture cannot be seen separately from food and nutritional security. India’s food grain production has touched an all-time high, but the upcoming challenges in the form of climate vagaries, drop in land area, increasing population and the lack of interest shown by Indian youth to take up agriculture are bound to create problems. Enhancing productivity of crops, and resurrecting the image of farmer to attract youth are indispensable steps.
Production strategy with respect to food grains, cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables needs to be streamlined and constantly monitored. Regularistaion of input supply, stress on human resources development, capacity building of rural youth through technology awareness, entrepreneurship development and industrial linkage etc. are vital in sustainable agricultural development. In a country which suffers post-harvest losses worth Rs. two lakh crores, post-harvest processing assumes great importance.
Synchronizing these activities need a single minded approach. Such an approach would become meaningful and effective if the activities for agricultural development are properly planned, adequately supported, promptly monitored and aptly modified according to an evolving scenario. A separate budget will definitely be catalytic to agriculture, especially if involvement of professionals in the field is ensured while chalking out development programmes. Indian agriculture must move from the concept of food security for the masses to the concept of nutrition security at the level of every child, woman and man.
Let this be a topic for discussion at appropriate levels.
