Balm to soothe farm distress

Averring that the farmers' distress will go down if all the programmes, indicated by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, are implemented effectively, eminent agriculture scientist Prof M. S. Swaminathan said the Union Budget 2020 outlays a detailed plan and allocation for agriculture and rural development.

Reacting to the Budget speech of the finance minister on Saturday, Prof Swaminathan said, “I am very happy that there is detailed plan for agriculture and rural development; not just in words but also comprehensively on what can be done, as well as in terms of the resources needed. This is important since agriculture is the occupation of the majority.”

Pointing out that the Economic Survey of 2020 presented on Jan. 31, 2020 provided statistical and intellectual foundation for the priorities included in the Budget, he called for adopting a holistic approach in helping farmers and farming. “In the 1960s (the green revolution period), technology, techno infrastructure, training and internal and external trade were all attended to in a holistic way. The Economic Survey emphasises the need for a technological upgrading of agriculture as happened during the green revolution period. This will call for greater investment in science and technology as well as in providing farmers with effective support services. Seed villages need to be revitalised.  We have all the ingredients essential for agricultural progress, but they need to be brought together," he said. He congratulated the Finance Minister for clearly articulating on the subject and said she also spoke about fisheries and youth and involvement of the State government since agriculture is a state subject. While thanking the finance minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repeated emphasis on income generation occupation for non-farm income, he said what was now envisaged in terms of balanced utilisation of fertilisers, farming and certification also need to be done in a more scientific way.