THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mr R. Haley, former agriculture director, has criticised Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for not allocating any funds for the farmers' welfare, though the budget has envisaged more reforms in agriculture marketing and increased funds for insurance and irrigation schemes. Mr. Haley, who had initiated the Farm Information Bureau in the state, recalled that in his agriculture policy report given to the previous UDF government he had recommended renaming the agriculture department as department of farmers' welfare and agriculture development, which was done. But the Union government is yet to follow suit.
"Though the state government has renamed the department, both the state and union governments are facing dearth of funds. Only if the department is renamed, youngsters will come to agriculture and achieve sustainable growth," said Mr. Haley who plans to write to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations for taking up farmers' welfare across the world.
When told that most of the central funds like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana Crop Insurance Scheme were not being implemented by the state government, Mr. Haley said a task force has to be formed at the government secretary-level to chase the central projects and make them attainable. Mr. Haley feels that skill development is necessary to manufacture more value added products.
Mr. Haley welcomed Mr. Jaitley's recommendation that 40 percent of the small and marginal farmers can avail of credit from the co-operative structure. "Mr. Jaitley had congratulated the Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) in Kerala. As far as NABARD is concerned, it is the state's best friend and it has saved the PACS here," he added. Though Mr. Jaitley had announced issuance of soil health cards and setting up of new mini labs in Krishi Vigyan Kendras, they have to be upgraded, he said.
