Priorities of Modi Government for Agriculture and Environment Sector

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President Pranab Mukherjee addressed a joint sitting of Parliament on Monday (9th June 2014), outlined the roadmap of the new government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his customary address, delivered in the first session of Parliament on behalf of the government, the President listed the priorities of NDA government.

"Agriculture is the source of livelihood for majority of our people. In the recent past, our farmers have been under severe stress with hopelessness driving some of them to suicides. My government is committed to reversing this unfortunate trend", President Mukherjee said.

Important agenda of Narendra Modi government's with respect to agriculture and environment sector, outlined by the President are as follows.

Agriculture

• Government will increase investment in agriculture, both public and private, especially in Agri-infrastructure.
• Modi government will take steps to convert farming into a profitable venture through scientific practices and Agro-technology.
• The government will address issues pertaining to pricing and procurement of agricultural produce, crop insurance and post-harvest management.
• The government will incentivize the setting up of food processing industries.
• Government will adopt a National Land Use Policy which will facilitate scientific identification of non-cultivable land and its strategic development.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee being welcomed by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on his arrival at Parliament House to attend the Joint Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on June 09, 2014. Photo Courtesy: PIB India

Irrigation

• Completion of long pending irrigation projects on priority and launch the ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana’ (Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme) with the motto of ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ (water for every field).
• Considering all options including linking of rivers, where feasible; for ensuring optimal use of water resources to prevent the recurrence of floods and drought.
• Harnessing rain water through ‘Jal Sanchay’ and ‘Jal Sinchan’, to nurture water conservation and ground water recharge.
• Micro irrigation will be popularised to ensure ‘Per drop-More crop’. 

Agri-Rail Network

• The country will have a network of freight corridors with specialised Agri-Rail networks for perishable agricultural products.

Environment, Forests and Climate Change

• While putting the country on a high growth path, government will keep sustainability at the core of planning process.
• Government strongly believes that environmental conservation can go hand in hand with development.
• To achieve this, environment and forest clearance systems will be made more predictable, transparent and time-bound. Simultaneously, an effective system will be developed for sound appraisal processes and strict compliance of clearance conditions, especially those relating to rehabilitation of displaced communities and regeneration of forests. 
• Cleaner fuels will be promoted to bring down pollution levels in our cities.
• The government will earnestly take up mitigation works to meet the challenges posed by climate change and will closely work with the global community in this regard.
• Conservation of Himalayan ecology will be a priority area for government. 
• A National Mission on Himalayas will be launched. 
• The government will also establish a Central University of Himalayan Studies.

Forest Dwellers

• For the Scheduled Tribes, government will launch a dedicated “Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana”. Electrification of tribal hamlets and connecting them with all-weather roads will be a priority area.