Disappointing, says farm activists; expert points at positives
The Union Budget has elicited mixed reaction from agriculture experts and farmers regarding the provision for the agriculture sector in the Budget.
All India Kisan Sabha leader Indrajit Singh termed the Budget as disappointing, stating that it had failed to meet the expectations of farmers. “Farmers hoped for a reduction in input costs, loan waivers, a legal guarantee on MSP based on C-2+50%, GST exemptions for farm implements, and withdrawal of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. However, none of these crucial demands were addressed,” he said.
The total allocation for the sector stood at just Rs 1.52 lakh crore, with an increase of Rs 25,000 crore. “This is not a real increase, given the rising inflation. Additionally, there has been a decrease in funding for food security, irrigation, MGNREGA, and PM Fasal Bima Yojana. The Kisan Samman Nidhi amount also remains unchanged,” he said.
He also termed the increase in the Kisan Credit Card loan limit to Rs 5 lakh as an acknowledgment of the deep indebtedness faced by farmers. “Moreover, the tenant farmers, who cultivate land on lease, continue to be left out without any supportive mechanisms,” he said, adding that the emphasis on crop diversification, particularly in cotton and pulses, was misleading.
“The area under cotton cultivation is rapidly decreasing due to poor quality seeds from private companies, while pulse farmers are not receiving MSP and are forced to sell at distress prices,” he added.
However, Dr RC Sihag, Padma Shri awardee retired agriculture scientist from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, said there were some positive steps, including raising the Kisan Card limit to Rs 5 lakh, introduction of Krishi Dhan Dhanya Yojna, encouragement for organic farming, support for cotton cultivation, increased funds for fisheries, and the creation of special fisheries zones.
Mandeep Nathwan, state president of the Pagdi Sambhal Jatta Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, said the Finance Minister had shown farmers an illusion, referring to the lack of pro-farmer provisions. “The Budget will only deepen farmers' debt and push them further in financial hardships,” he said.
