NEW DELHI: PM Modi on Saturday he made a strong pitch in favor of government-legislated agricultural reforms saying they increase marketing options for farmers without taking away the option of trading through mandis.
Addressing the annual general meeting of the FICCI, the prime minister said that while mandis are being strengthened and modernized, the new laws give farmers the option to sell their products anywhere. His comments come in the context of a stalemate between farmer groups agitating against the new farm laws and the Center.
Referring to the economic uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, the prime minister said that the situation, however, appeared to have changed in December, when economic indicators are now quite encouraging.
“We have answers (to those problems), as well as a roadmap (for recovery). … Things learned by the nation at the time of the crisis have further strengthened future resolutions,” he said. Modi while addressing the 93rd annual FICCI convention.
“In the 20-20 game, we saw that a lot of things changed quickly. But the year 2020 baffled everyone. But it is good that the situation is improving now at the same rate that it deteriorated before, “said the prime minister.
He said the reforms are aimed at breaking down barriers that exist between various sectors and are the only way forward for an agricultural economy plagued by the small size of land holdings and, more importantly, opening the doors to greater investment.
The prime minister said the reforms would help attract investment to strengthen cold storage and food processing infrastructure for the benefit of farmers. “Investment in the sector will help our small and marginal farmers. We do not want walls between different sectors. We want more and more bridges to support each other, ”said the prime minister.
Modi said that the private sector has not done enough to take advantage of investment opportunities in the agricultural sector (cold chain, etc.) and stated that measures taken in the recent past, such as allowing the mixing of ethanol with gasoline, will help improve farm income.
He said the Center is committed to protecting the interests of farmers through its ‘niti’ (policy) and ‘niyat’ (intention), noting that the new agricultural laws will give them new markets, access to technology and help attract investments in agriculture. . The prime minister, however, called on industries to show their interest and increase investment in the agricultural sector.
He also urged the industry to invest in rural areas, including the agricultural sector, as investments would open up new opportunities for people in those areas. “The ambitions of rural India are increasing more and more. They want socio-economic mobility and the government is trying to fulfill these ambitions, ”Modi said.
On video: Farm reforms will bring new markets and opportunities to farmers: PM Modi
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