Record allocation but some activists still not impressed

Nagpur: Chairman of the Vasantrao Naik

Shetkari

Swavlamban Mission

Kishor Tiwari

has termed

Union budget

2016 as farmer-friendly. “For the first time a true pro-farmer and pro-rural-poor budget has been proposed in the country,” said the head of task force on addressing farm distress in the state. “Jaitley has brought hope and cheer for farmers across the country as it covers the core issues of agrarian crisis and distressed

rural

economy, farm credit, irrigation facility, healthcare needs, sustainable agriculture, food crops promotion, e-marketing and interventions like price stabilization fund, food security, crop

insurance

, rural employment under MNREGA and Mudra scheme, LPG for poor and rural road connectivity,” said Tiwari. A record farm credit allocation of Rs 9.35 lakh crore, almost four times of what was given in 2013, will be attempted. The FM has introduced special 0.5% agricultural welfare tax to be collected through service tax. “It is a welcome move but this must be made available to farmers, especially in distressed areas of Vidarbha and Marathwada,” he added. An effective crop insurance scheme at a nominal price, good marketing support and allied income schemes could meet the desired goal of doubling farm earnings in next six years,” said Tiwari. He also lauded the dedicated irrigation fund of Rs 20,000 crores to be set up under NABARD. Shetkari Sanghatana founder member Vijay Javandhiya was not much enthused. “Jaitley’s proposals sound too good to be true. He has said farmers’ income would double by 2022 but how can that happen is not explained. Will he increase MSP of crop by 20% annually in next five years? Once again the promise of giving 50% over and above input costs has been ignored,” he said. “With nothing to change the ground situation, the next generation would migrate to work as labour for grand city plans of the NDA government,” Javandhiya remarked. Former chairman of National agriculture scientists recruitment board C D Mayee found the budget disappointing as it provided little for research and development. “Soil health cards will be of no use if farmers are not told about better land use that only R&D can provide,” he said The budget document did not match the tone of economic survey indicating there was a government within government, said Mayee. “The devil is in the detail,” said Hemantsinh Chauhan, a natural farmer. Reacting to budget proposal to bring 5 lakh acres under organic farming in three years, Chauhan said the state had failed to implement the scheme last time because of impractical conditionality like selecting 50 acres in a village with inclusion of 50 farmers. He said the scheme would be tough to implement.