Farm Production Rose, Agri Exports Touched Record INR 3 Trillion in 2020-21: President Ram Nath Kovind

Despite the epidemic, President Ram Nath Kovind stated on Monday that the country’s farm output and procurement grew during the 2020-21 crop year, and agricultural exports hit a new high of Rs 3,00,000 crore (US$ 40.19 billion). Kovind said the government is focusing on making the country self-sufficient in edible oils, as well as making special efforts to encourage organic farming, natural farming, and crop diversification, in his address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at the commencement of the Budget session.

Despite the epidemic, farmers produced more over 30 crore tonnes of food grains and 33 crore tonnes of horticulture output in the 2020-21 crop year, according to the President, who highlighted the Modi government’s achievements in the farm sector (July-June). During the 2021-22 rabi marketing year (April-March), the government made a record purchase of 433 lakh tonnes of wheat, helping roughly 50 lakh farmers.

During the 2020-21 kharif marketing (October-September), a record amount of around 900 lakh tonnes of paddy was procured, benefiting 1.30 crore farmers, he noted. Kovind said, “Our agriculture exports have also reached a record level due to the efforts of the government. Agricultural exports registered a growth of more than 25 per cent in 2020-21, and have reached nearly Rs 3 lakh crore.” He was talking to the 2020-21 crop year. Domestic honey output climbed by 55% to 1.25 lakh tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year, compared to 2014-15, thanks to government incentives, he said, adding that honey production is a vital way for farmers to generate new forms of revenue.

In comparison to 2014-15, honey exports have increased by more than 102%, he added. The President stated that the administration has endeavoured to develop new channels of wealth for farmers by introducing Kisan Rail Seva in order to ensure that farmers have access to the correct market and remunerative pricing. “During the corona period, Indian Railways operated over 1,900 Kisan Rails on over 150 routes to transport perishable food items such as vegetables, fruits, and milk, transporting about 6 lakh tonnes of agricultural produce,” he said, adding that this is an example of how new avenues can be created from existing resources if innovative thinking is applied.

The President stated that small farmers, who make up 80% of the farmer community, have always been vital to the government, and that the government has contributed Rs 1.80 lakh crore (US$ 24.11 billion) to more than 11 crore farmer families through the PM-KISAN scheme.  The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme provides qualifying farmer families with a financial reward. “With this investment, the agriculture sector is witnessing major transformations today,” he said, adding that small farmers in the country have also profited from the new crop insurance system modifications.

Furthermore, the government is attempting to conserve rainwater. Special activities are being carried out in the country to build rainwater gathering infrastructure and restore traditional water sources. With the support of various initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and Atal Bhu-jal Yojana, 64 lakh hectares of land with irrigation facilities have been constructed across the country, according to the President.