India Region

Focus On 100 Districts for Increasing Agricultural Productivity a Prudent Step: Deepak Shah

03 February 2025, New Delhi: The Finance Minister has focused on 10 key areas, including manufacturing to focus on Make in India & generating self-employment, Agriculture to focus on the farming community, on generating more avenues for employment, focus on MSMEs & rural development coupled with innovation to enrich the life of masses.

Mr. Deepak Shah Chairman, Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) 

Mr. Deepak Shah Chairman, Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) in his first reaction said “ It’s too early to state specific proposals have been given on Agro Chemicals but the social welfare schemes like the PM Kisan Yojana and PM Awas Yojana would facilitate in uplifting the life of the rural villagers. The decision to continue with free food for an extended period would result in savings for the rural poor. Government incentives for new Investments under PPP would result in not only fresh investment but result in generating employment, both in urban and rural areas. However, the much awaited PLI scheme for Agro Chemicals has not been announced which could bring in ₹12500 cr fresh investment by Indian manufacturers.”

Any chapter change in custom tariff should ensure that there is a delta of 10% with higher duty on the import of formulations as compared to imports of Technical grade so as to limit unnecessary imports and encourage domestic manufacturers to make India a global manufacturing hub in the next 2 years. This has been the persistent contention of CCFI members to work for Make in India towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Low productivity has been a major issue when compared to certain advanced countries and therefore the government’s move to cover 100 districts in phase 1 would see the consumption of more agri inputs with proper and judicious usage. 

Another feature worth appreciating is the increase of Kisan Credit Card limits for farmers, fishermen etc. from ₹3 lacs to ₹5 lacs Likewise, MSMEs would be given term loans up to ₹ 20 cr on exports and startups in agriculture would be also given credit guarantee ranging from ₹10 cr to ₹20 cr.

“Agrochemicals exports are on the increase in spite of global slowdown and CCFI is committed to curb imports by recommending an increase in customs duty. In a significant move, Agriculture and allied sectors have been allocated ₹1,71,437 cr which is the fourth highest after Defence, Rural development and Home affairs. 

With positive kharif expectations we can look forward to another number year” concluded Mr. Deepak Shah

Also Read: India Restricts Import of Low-Cost Herbicide Glufosinate

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