Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that his government has doubled the agricultural budget to Rs 2.12 lakh crore for the 2018-’19 financial year in order to achieve the objective of doubling farm incomes by 2022.
Modi said the Centre planned to cut input cost, give the farmers of a fair price for their crop, prevent wastage from produce rotting away, and create alternative sources of income, PTI reported.
The budget for 2018-’19 has taken steps to give farmers a price equivalent to 150% of their cost of production, Modi claimed. “We are working towards ensuring that the income of our hardworking farmers doubles by 2022. For that we are facilitating proper assistance wherever required. We have faith in the farmers of India,” he told farmers from over 600 districts through video conferencing.
Modi said the production of grain, milk, fruits and vegetables in India is at an all-time high. “Our effort is to provide farmers assistance at all stages of agriculture – at the time of sowing, after sowing and at the time of harvesting,” he said.
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