The farmer could only get richer, say statistics, even as the debate on doubling farmers’ incomes reaches a crescendo
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi was addressing a kissan rally (congregation of farmers) in UP ’s Bareilly on 28 February, 2016, when he declared that his dream was to see the income of farmers double by 2022 — when independent India turns 75. The Prime Minister was obviously speaking of doubling the income of the farmer from what it was in the agricultural year 2015-16 seven years hence in the agricultural year 2022-23. If he indeed was, then he was budgeting for a 10.4 per cent growth in agriculture every year.
Economists across the political and dogmatic spectrum have since pontificated and debated on the practicality of the Prime Minister’s dream, especially after the Economic Survey for 2017-18 predicted a 2.1 per cent growth in farm output. In the penultimate year of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s tenure, doubling the farmer’s income is no longer a wish. It has assumed the proportions of a policy.
“Yes there are many new and impressive initiatives by the NDA but the agriculture GDP is still not providing the desired results,” says Siraj Hussain, former Secretary, in the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Hussain’s scepticism is shared by others too. “Many experts do not believe the vision of doubling farmers’ income as practical,” writes Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand, in his 2017 paper titled, Doubling Farmers’ Income: Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MEMORIES & IMPRESSIONS
Ratan Tata was an exceptional human being. He was a visionary leader, esteemed industrialist, and a humanitarian, who left an indelible mark on India and the world.
The Robotaxi Market
The robotaxi market is shaping up to be a high-stakes battleground as tech giants and automakers race to transform urban mobility.
And the Nobel Prize Goes to AI
The recent Nobel Prize T awards to AI pioneers affiliated with Google have sparked a broader conversation about Big Tech's influence on research and the limitations of traditional prize categories.
Ola Electrified
Once considered a trailblazer in India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, Bhavish Aggarwal’s Ola Electric now faces a major accountability crisis.
Sharp Slide in Industrial Output on Eve of Deepavali
India’s index of industrial production (IIP) saw a sharp reversal in August, contracting by 0.1 per cent, in stark contrast to the 4.7 per cent growth in July, mostly because of significant contractions in mining and electricity generation.
Heralding the Solar Era with Sustainable Electrification
RAJEEV KASHYAP on the economics of solar power, the hurdles in scaling it, and much more
A WELL-GREASED MACHINE
The OmniBook X14 laptop runs on first-generation Snapdragon X Elite, which bets big on Al-enabled productivity and battery life, but falls short when it comes to overall experience, says Deep Majumdar
DO NOT LETA HEALTH CRISIS RUIN YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH
For a family of four living in a metro, it is recommended to opt for a family floater health insurance plan with a sum insured of at least Rs 15-20 lakh
Disruption Ahead: Beyond Organisation Charts and Structures
ALBERT EINSTEIN FAMOUSLY said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Dr. Rahul Shivajirao Kadam: A Visionary Leader Blending Sustainability, Innovation, And Social Empowerment
We are on the stage of global warming, and these technologies not only help prevent further damage but also leave behind a better environment for future generations.
