Aatma Nirbhar Agriculture – A Vision For New India’s Farmers: Here’s all you need to know

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has marked the first anniversary of his second tenure by writing an open letter to the nation, highlighting his government’s achievements.

Mr Modi said the decisions taken in the last one year were aimed at fulfilling the dream of making India a global leader.

Indian PM also put forward his economic vision for the country and the challenges ahead.

Fragrance of Indian Soil

Hailing farmers, PM Modi wrote, “The fragrance of Indian soil, along with the sweat, hard work and talent of our workers will create products that will reduce India’s dependence on imports and will move it towards self-reliance.”

A Clarion Call for Self-Reliant India

Giving the clarion call for the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to make India a world player on multiple fronts, PM Modi on May 12 said:

“It is time for India to realize the fact that the twenty-first century is truly India’s century, as has been said for years by several people. Rise of New India is essential not just for India but for the world, and this can come through only when we can build up a self-reliant nation.”

A Vision For New India’s Farmers

Saying that India is “extremely proud” of its farmers who work day and night to feed the nation, the PM said that the government is energising the agriculture sector with reforms and measures that improve the lives of farmers, ensure better markets and eliminate the role of middlemen.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1266691355016757248?s=19

Other Key Points of the Vision Document:

• Farmers in India have been trapped for long in a vicious cycle, and a deep sense of need for actual reform in the sector had been felt. Simple steps as the choice of buyer had become a vexed issue.

• Farmers can now sell anywhere as per their will. This, in turn, will enable better price realization for farmers, attract investments and make agriculture competitive, thus becoming a key contributor to the promise of doubling farmer incomes.

• The announcement to amend the Essential Commodities Act also comes as a bold step, aiming at deregulation in various commodities such as vegetables, cereals, pulses, etc, enables greater price benefits for farmers.

• Also, the boost given to investment in farm-gate infrastructure and food processing industry creates newer avenues of growth, employment and entrepreneurship at a large scale.

• Inter-state trade too creates the win-win situation through a better price discovery both for the farmer and the consumer.

• The government has also announced to finalise a facilitative legal framework to enable farmers to engage with processors, aggregators, large retailers, exporters and corporates in a fair and transparent manner, as per the vision document.

• The immediate implementation of the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a big moment for India’s fisheries sector, as it sits on the cusp of a Blue Revolution, the document added.

• In addition, with a specified focus on islands, Himalayan states, north-east and aspirational districts, a boost to local job creation and entrepreneurship has been generated.