Modi holds meeting to talk ways to boost India’s agriculture sector
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a key meeting with agriculture experts to deliberate on the issues and reforms required in the agriculture sector, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A special emphasis was given on reforms in agriculture marketing, management of marketable surplus, access of farmers to institutional credit and freeing agriculture sector of various restrictions with appropriate backing of statute, said an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, Mr Modi said that the use of technology in the agriculture sector was of “paramount importance” as it had the potential to unlock the entire value chain for the benefit of the farmers.
He also emphasised on the dissemination of technology till the last mile and making the country’s farmers more competitive in the global value chain. Those who attended the meeting decided to further strengthen the role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to bring vibrancy in agrarian economy, transparency in agriculture trade and enable maximum benefits to the farmers.
Overall emphasis was on revisiting the existing laws governing market for better price realisation and freedom of choice to the farmers, said the official statement.
The focus was on making strategic interventions in the existing marketing eco-system and bringing appropriate reforms in the context of rapid agricultural development.