Union Budget 2016: Government aims to double farmers' income by 2022

In the Union Budget 2016, the target for Soil Health Card Scheme is to cover 14 crore farm holdings by March, 2017. This will help farmers to make judicious use of fertilizer. The minister said that 2000 model retail outlets of fertilizer companies will be provided with soil and seed testing facilities in the next three years.   

 

He announced a policy to convert city waste to compose under Swachh  Bharat Abhiyan.  Fertilizer companies will co-market these compost .

 

 

 

Jaitley announced the ‘Parmparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana’ for  bringing 5 lakh acres of rain fed areas under organic farming.  

 

He launched a scheme ‘Organic value chain development in North East Region’ to make their organic produce find domestic and export markets.  

 

Number of pulses districts under National Food Security Mission has been increased to 622.

 

The minister announced that a Unified Agricultural Marketing E Platform will be dedicated to the nation, on the birthday of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar on  April 14. 

 

He also said that, the completion target of ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’ will be advanced from 2021 to 2019, to connect the remaining 65,000 eligible habitations. 

 

The minister announced three specific initiatives to ensure MSP reaches to all the farmers.  First, the remaining states will be encouraged to take-up decentralized procurement. Second, an online Procurement System will be undertaken through the Food Corporation of India. Third, effective arrangements will be made for pulses procurement. 

 

In the Budget, four new initiatives were announced to make dairying more remunerative to the farmers.  First, ‘Pashudhan Sanjivani’, an animal wellness programme and provision of Animal Heaalth Cards (‘Nakul Swasthya Patra’). Second, an advanced breeding technology. Third, Creation of E-Pashudhan Haat, an e-market portal for connecting breeders and farmers. Fourth, a National Genomic Centre for indigenous breeds.  He said that these projects will be implemented at a cost of Rs. 850 crore over the next few years. 

 

The Union finance minister announced an allocation of Rs. 2.87 lakh crore as Grants in Aid to Gram Panchayats and Municipalities (up 228% compared to previous five years) as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.  

 

He said that every block in areas of drought and rural distress will be taken up under the ‘Deen Dayal Antyodaya Mission’.  These districts would also be taken up for priority under ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana’.