Shri Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, said today that the Budget 2022-23 is truly the People’s Budget. The Budget carries forward the Government of India’s strategy of investing in infrastructure, consolidating finances, and making sure that the economy is on the path of high-growth. It is for the poor, the women and the marginalized sections of the society. The blueprint of the ‘Amrit Kaal’ focuses on the intentions of the Central Government to improve the production efficiency of the capital and the human resources. The Budget lays stress on the very idea of ‘trust-based governance’. “Yeh budget Vikas ka naya vishwas lekar aya hai,” he said, repeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words.
The positive impacts of the Union Budget 2022-23 are multifold with respect to the Animal husbandry and Dairying sectors. But, most significant of all is the increase in the budget of the livestock sector by more than 40 per cent for 2022-23 and the enhanced allocation for Central sector schemes by more than 48 per cent. This shows the commitment of the Modi Government, for the growth of livestock and dairy farmers, the Minister said. The increased fund allocation for dairy and livestock sector schemes will benefit India’s dairy farmers.
The Minister remarked that the reduction in alternate minimum tax from 18.5 per cent to 15 per cent, for cooperatives is a significant step that will provide an even playing field for cooperative societies and companies. He insisted that since most of the Dairy fraternity comes from the Cooperative sector, the announcement of reduction in surcharge and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) will positively impact the dairy farmers’ incomes. Same way, the reduction in surcharge on co-operative societies from 12 per cent to 7 per cent for those having a total income of 1 to 10 crores, will benefit thousands of dairy cooperatives – which will translate into higher income for dairy farmers.
The boost to digital banking, digital payments and fintech innovations will produce a ripple effect in the livestock sector through greater transparency by streamlining payments during milk procurement and other services rendered by livestock farmers. Union Minister also said that the announcement of incentives for chemical-free natural farming will play a major role in enhancing the quality of livestock feed and fodder; which in turn will increase the productivity of cattle and livestock.
He further said that 95 per cent of the livestock farmers are located in rural India. Under the “Vibrant Villages Program”, the infrastructure development will help in enhancing market access for these livestock farmers. In the Union Budget 2022-23, almost 60 per cent increase in the allocation of Livestock Health and Disease control, will ensure healthier livestock and hence a healthier India through the implementation of ‘One Health Mission’.
The Budget will give boost to developmental projects in rural India
The budget increase of 20 per cent for Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Program for Dairy Development will ensure the increased productivity of indigenous bovine population and quality milk, benefitting almost 8 crore dairy farmers. PM’s development initiative for the North-East will play an important role in upgrading infrastructure for a whole range of sectors across all the 8 North-eastern states.
He went on to add that supporting the start-ups in agriculture and allied sectors through NABARD will boost developmental projects and investment in rural areas. It will increase productivity and income through an infusion of new technologies in agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, and fishery while facilitating rural prosperity. The Minister said that promoting the usage of Kisan Drones will pave way for better herd management and farm safety.
Regarding Department of Fisheries, the Union Minister said that the overall budget of the fishery department for the financial year 2022-23 has been increased by 73 per cent in comparison to the allocation of Rs 1,220 crore during the year 2021-22. The total allocation of the department for the year 2022-23 stands at Rs 2,118.47 crore as against Rs. 1220 crore (BE) during 2021-22. The allocation to Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has been enhanced by 88 per cent, that is from Rs 1,000 crore (BE) to Rs 1,879 crore in 2022-23. He noted that the duty reduction on Shrimp culture will promote exporting.
With the allocation of Rs. 1,879 crore for Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the Department expects setting up seaweed seed banks and facilitating the marketing of seaweed through suitable demand aggregators and creating the necessary infrastructural facilities to ensure efficient marketing of seaweed, to accelerate the cultivation of seaweed and to open up additional livelihood avenues to the fisherwomen. The Department will set up a network of brood banks for the economically important fish species such as Penaeus Indicus and Penaeus Monodon using indigenous technologies to make quality seeds available in sufficient quantity to shrimp farmers. In accordance to the budget announcement, the department will set up mechanisms for the delivery of hi-tech services to fish farmers.
The department will also ramp up its efforts to modernize the fishing harbors and landing centers to ensure higher value for the catch fishermen who toil in the sea against all odds to earn their living. The Department of Fisheries will gear-up to promote alternative livelihood options for fishermen by engaging them to take up aqua sports and fish tourism. A Centre of Excellence can also be set up to promote science-based aquaculture.
He said that the Department has been instructed to explore all the possibilities for the development of modern fish markets to improve hygiene and attract customers. As a start, this year 50 new fish markets will be taken up for modernization. Implementation of welfare activities such as fishermen’s insurance, saving-cum relief, and vessel insurance with enhanced coverage will continue to remain one of the topmost priorities of the Ministry.
