The Impact of Farmers’ Fair in India on the Economy

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. Agriculture in India plays a significant role in the overall growth of the country. Exports in the Indian agriculture sector comprises 10% of the country’s exports. 

Problems in Indian Farming: 

Till date, farmers are using manual methods for farming. People are not aware of the latest technologies in agriculture, which improves productivity. Most of the farmers have no proper marketing channels and mediums to sell their products, which leads to revenue loss. Inadequate storage facilities and improper marketing channels lead to wastage and quality concerns, which result in reduced agriculture exports.

Initiatives by the Government:

In 2018-19, the government emphasised on commercialising Indian agriculture. Some of the recent schemes launched and strategies planned by the government in the sector are as follows:

1. Launch of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) with an investment of Rs.50,000 crore.
2. Providing air cargo support to promote Indian agriculture exports.
3. Allocation of Rs.2,000 crore for computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to ensure cooperatives are benefited through digital technology.
4. To boost innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture; AGRI-UDAAN programme has been launched.
5. Extension of urea subsidy to the farmers till 2020, which estimated at Rs.45,000 crores.

Farmers’ Fair by GBPUA&T, Pantnagar:

Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUA&T), Pantnagar, Uttarakhand is popularly known as the harbinger of Green Revolution in India. The university has made a significant achievement in research, extension and other fields. Regarding extension, the directorate of extension organises ‘Farmers’ Fair’ twice in a year. The main purpose of this initiative is to benefit the farming community.

Objectives of the Farmers’ Fair:

• To educate the rural people about farming
• To create a single platform for the farming community
• To provide updated agriculture-related information to agri-professionals, policymakers, like-minded individuals, government officials and media professionals
• To promote technologies, which would help double the farmers’ income
• To create awareness among farmers about newly released varieties from Pantnagar University and its centres

Also Read: RBI Member-Panel Suggests Reforms Agriculture Industry

What Farmers Would Get From the Fair?

Farmers’ fair promotes the products, brand and services for a vast potential market. The fair provides the opportunity to meet buyers, new dealers and agents. The fair demonstrates and showcases valued products and services. The farmers’ fair offers live demonstrations of the newly developed ideas and the latest technologies.

The main emphasis and objective of this programme are to provide solutions to significant problems faced by the farmers and also create awareness about improved production technologies, crop protection and post-harvest management practices.

In the fair, agri-professionals, policymakers, government officials, like-minded individuals and media from all parts of India come together to discuss the Indian agriculture sector. This fair has always been engaged in bringing together the key players of the agri-business, and it aims to strengthen the future of Indian agriculture sector.

Role of the Fair in Empowering the Farming Community:

The government has initiated various programmes for the empowerment of the farming community. Some of the important goals are doubling farmers’ income, securing the farmers and their endeavours, making farmers tech-savvy, boosting agricultural research and education, and building farm-related infrastructure. These are being worked upon for the growth of the agriculture sector and farmers’ welfare.

The transformation comes from awareness. The government has raised awareness about the need to create systems that turn the farming activity into a hub of productivity and prosperity. The fair is one of the important steps to empower the farming community through disseminating information among the farmers.

For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at dvsr.anjaneyulu@cleartax.in