Wildlife sanctuaries in Assam

Background Information on Major Initiatives & Announcements for Agriculture Sector in the General Budget 2018-19

Posted On: 01 FEB 2018 2:20PM

Creation of Blue Revolution Infrastructure Development Fund

            The Union Government in its Budget in its Budget 2018 has set aside Rs. 8000 crore for setting up of a dedicated Blue Revolution Infrastructure Development Fund (BRIDF). BRIDF will provide concessional finance to the State Governments/Union Territories, Sate entities, cooperatives, individual entrepreneurs, etc. for development of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sector. The infrastructure facilities to be funded under the BRIDF will broadly cover development of fishing harbours and fish landing centres, creation of cold chain infrastructure facilities such as ice plants cold storage, fish transport facilities, fish processing units, fish markets; fish seed farms, fish feed mills/plants cage culture in reservoirs, mariculture activities, introduction of deep sea fishing vessels, setting up of disease diagnostic and aquatic quarantine facilities etc.

            The fund has the potential to benefit over 4 million marine and inland fisher folk especially women, SHGs, weaker sections, due to availability of modern infrastructure and added value of produce. The fund would (i) fill the large infrastructure gaps in fisheries sector, (ii) create employment opportunity to the rural population in fishing and allied activities, (iii) contributes towards enhancement of fish production and productivity, (iv) offers many fold benefits and (v) fulfill the requirements of tapping the full fisheries potential and achieving the vision given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for doubling farmers’ income.

            The fund would be created in collaboration with NABARD, NCDC and Specified commercial banks. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) will be the Nodal Implementing Agency for overall coordination of the BRIDF activities.

EXTEND KISAN CREDIT CARD LINKED LOANS TO MILK, FISHERIES, POULTRY, SMALL LIVESTOCK(GOAT/SHEEP) FARMERS AS FOR AGRICULTURE SECTOR

            The benefit of crop loan and interest subvention so far available to agriculture sector only under Kisan Credit Card has been extended to small and marginal farmers in animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries sector for rearing of cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, poultry and fisheries.

OPERATION GREENS

            While agriculture itself is sensitive and vulnerable to external factors, at production and marketing stages, three universally consumed crops are relatively more sensitive. These include tomato, onion and potato. These commodities are produced in certain areas of the country and during certain seasons of the year. However, they are largely consumed across the country and all round the year. The challenge they face is connecting production and consumption centres dispersed over space, and also meet the demands that emanate over time (365 days of the year).

            On account of inadequacy of agri-logistics that can help in storage and transportation over space and time, without compromise of quality, there are price variations which benefit neither the farmer nor the consumer. The country faces high price volatility and fluctuations in respect of these three commodities. Hence it is proposed to launch OPERATION GREENS to address price volatility and ensure that both producers and consumers benefit.

            OPERATION FLOOD has a lot to teach in the way it has managed a perishable commodity like mill. The success of OPERATION FLOOD lies in deployment of technology for storage, transportation and processing; professional management and institutions. On similar lines, OPERATION GREENS shall build institutions, infuse technology and professional management to trigger productivity, processing and marketing.

            The production aspects that will be taken care of by promoting protected cultivation, off-season cultivation and meet the seasonal demands. It shall also be supported by demand forecast and efficient marketing system.

            The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare (DAF&FW) shall design the project/programme appropriately and role it out at the earliest.