Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the government has taken several significant steps to enhance farmers’ income and ensure agricultural sustainability.
Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha today, Ms Sitharaman said, under the Minimum Support Price MSP framework, emphasis has been laid on promoting crops such as sugarcane, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and other diversified agricultural produce. She said special focus has been given to pulses and oilseeds, encouraging farmers to shift towards diversified cropping patterns.
The minister said income sources have also expanded beyond traditional farming to include dairy, sugarcane, and maize production, thereby strengthening the rural economy. She said the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme has provided financial assistance of six thousand rupees to farmers, helping them meet their essential needs. Ms Sitharaman said the Kisan Credit Card facility has been extended to sectors such as animal husbandry and fisheries. She said, it has enabled farmers engaged in activities like fish farming, cattle rearing, and poultry farming to access concessional loans and financial support.
The minister said these initiatives have a positive impact in regions like the North-East, where allied agricultural activities are growing rapidly. She said farmers are now able to secure better value for their produce and diversify their income streams. Ms Sitharaman informed that adoption of solar pumps has reduced farmers’ dependence on conventional electricity, lowering costs significantly.
Replying to another supplementary, Ms Sitharaman said the government has launched several focused campaigns to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment across the country. She said, these efforts are aligned with the vision of building a five-trillion-dollar economy and positioning India as a global destination for growth and opportunity.
The minister said significant emphasis has been placed on improving the ease of doing business by streamlining regulations and creating a more investor-friendly environment. She added that these measures have made it easier for businesses to operate, invest, and innovate in the country.
Ms Sitharaman said the government has also extended strong support to startups by simplifying the patent registration process. It has reduced the time required for approvals and enabled faster commercialisation of innovations. The Minister said the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has emerged as a major success, not only boosting manufacturing in key sectors but also helping build a comprehensive ecosystem that supports long-term economic growth.
On support to Local Bodies, the Finance Minister said the allocation made by the 16th Finance Commission is far higher than ever before to urban local bodies and Panchayats. She said it is one of the measures to empower the local bodies. Ms Sitaraman said the Central Government is also giving 50-year interest-free loans to the states and it is helping in asset creation at the municipal level. She informed that many states are doing exemplary work in tier II and tier III cities under the initiative.
