VP Dhankhar Urges Farmers to Embrace Agri-Business, Calls for Direct Subsidies

GG News Bureau
Panaji, 22nd May: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar today called on India’s farming community to expand beyond mere production and actively engage in the marketing and value addition of agricultural produce. Speaking at the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI) in Goa, he also advocated for direct government subsidies to farmers, bypassing intermediaries.

“The path to a developed India emerges from the farmer’s field, from the village,” the Vice-President asserted, highlighting agriculture’s crucial role in India’s economy and rural upliftment. He urged farmers not to limit themselves to just production, emphasizing the need for their involvement in the entire agro-economy, including marketing and value addition.

Dhankhar stressed the importance of Agripreneurs – entrepreneurs from the farming community – stating, “This country must have millions of Agripreneurs.” He cited examples of highly educated individuals from IITs and IIMs entering agricultural businesses like dairy and fruit/vegetable trade, questioning why traditional farming families shouldn’t follow suit.

The Vice-President underlined that government policies are highly positive for farmers, particularly in areas like storage and credit. He also suggested that large industries benefiting from agricultural produce should contribute to strengthening the farmer’s economy through collaboration, research, and by utilizing their CSR funds for rural development.

Addressing the issue of subsidies, Dhankhar made a strong case for direct transfer of funds to farmers. He pointed out that while a significant amount, around ₹3 lakh crore, is spent on fertilizer subsidies, farmers may not fully realize the extent of this assistance. “If this money is sent directly to every farmer, then every farmer will have ₹30,000-35,000 per year,” he stated, advocating for a system similar to the US where farmers receive direct government aid, leading to higher average incomes for farming families compared to general families.

He also urged farmers to adopt new technologies and to engage more with institutions like the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The Vice-President expressed optimism about the future of Indian agriculture, noting the active involvement of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has engaged with over 730 KVKs and prompted greater activity from agricultural institutions.

Dhankhar’s remarks came during an interaction with the scientific and farming communities, where he also lauded Padma Shri recipient Sanjay Anant Patil for his contributions to natural farming. He noted the strong personal advocacy for natural farming by Gujarat Governor Devvrat Acharya. The Vice-President reminisced about his long association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) since his political journey began in 1989.