Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, towards a Self Reliant Nation : Third Tranche of announcement
Highlights of Phase 3 Stimulus Package announced by Finance minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman on 15 May 2020.
These decisions cover agriculture and allied activities and these will ease the lives of farmers.
Decisions made under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan:
- Governance Decisions
Standard mechanism for predictable pricing – A legal framework will help farmers to fix their own price. There would be an assured price return quantity for farmers prior to sowing. An increase availability on farming technology and selling opportunities is also to be implemented.
Fair price for farmers – Central law will provide farmers choice to sell at attractive prices. Along with that inter-state trade and E-trade to be facilitated.
Essential Commodities Act (1955) amended – No stock limit shall apply for storage. Also, cereals, edible oils, oil seeds, potato and onion to be deregulated.
- Agriculture Marketing Reform
A central law will be formulated to provide Barrier free inter state trade e trading Frame work for agricultural products.
- Legal Framework
For the engagement of farmer with processor, aggregator, large retailers, exporters etc. in fair and transparent way and the integral part of Framework will be assured returns and quality standardisation.
- Animal Husbandry and Beekeeping
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Fund – Rs 15,000 crores fund to be established
A new scheme to provide interest subvention at 2% per annum to all the dairy co-operatives. This scheme will unlock 5000 crores additional liquidity, benefitting over 2 crores farmers.
Rs 500 crores for bee keeping initiatives to benefit 2 lakh keepers. Production of wax is also to be encouraged under this scheme.
- For Upgrading Infrastructure
One lakh crore fund for strengthening the farm gate infrastructure like cold chains, post harvest storage infrastructures etc.
Rs 10,000 crore fund for micro food scheme will be executed with cluster based approach. Will benefit 2 lakh Micro Food Enterprises. For instance, Bihar can have Makhana cluster, Kashmir can have Kesar cluster, Telangana can have Turmeric cluster, Andhra can have chilli cluster.
Rs 15,000 crore will be spent on ramping up the dairy infrastructure. Also, investments will be made in cattle feed.
20000 cr spent to fill gaps in value chains, where govt will launch pradhan mantri matsya sampada yojana
- Green Operation Extension
Rs 500 crores will be set aside for vegetable and fruit supply chains disrupted by the coronavirus lockdown. Earlier, this scheme had been intended for Tomatoes, Onions and Potatoes(TOP) ,but will now include all fruits and vegetables (Total).
Key points from this is 50 per cent subsidy on transport from surplus to deficient markets and an equal subsidy for storage facilities. This will be a six-month pilot project to be expanded on evaluation.