Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled a seven - point strategy to double the income of farmers in six years with measures to step up irrigation, provide better quality seeds and prevent post - harvest losses.
"In the past, the emphasis has been on agricultural output, rather than on farmers' incomes. I've set the objective of doubling the farmers' income by 2022, " the prime minister told the Bloomberg India Economic Forum here.
"I have laid this out as a challenge. But it is not merely a challenge. With a good strategy, well - designed programmes, adequate resources and good governance in implementation, this target is achievable. "
He also listed his seven strategies:
- Big focus on irrigation with large budgets, with the aim of "per drop, more crop"
- Provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of each field
- Large investments in warehousing and cold chains to prevent post - harvest crop losses
- Promotion of value addition through food processing
- Creation of a national farm market, removing distortions and e - platform across 585 stations
- Introduction of a new crop insurance scheme to mitigate risks at affordable cost
- Promotion of ancillary activities like poultry, beekeeping and fisheries.
"I am confident we will achieve the targeted doubling of farmers' income, " he said, adding the doyen of Indian agriculture, M. S. Swaminathan, had himself written to him, saying the policies adopted hy his government were farmer - centric with a new income - orientation in farming.
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