“We’re making efforts to address problems relating to seed, fertilizers, irrigation”

With farmer issues taking centre stage in the run-up to general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the BJP-led government was making dedicated efforts to bring fundamental transformation in the farm sector.

The Centre was taking a new initiative with scientific approach to bring fundamental changes in all segments of farm sector, from seed to market, said Mr. Modi addressing a public gathering here, without touching upon the contentious farm loan waiver issue.

“For many years, there had been demand for the implementation of Swaminathan Committee recommendations. As long as the Congress was in power at the Centre, it never acted upon it. The BJP-led government took up the challenge of implementing the recommendations. We have fixed MSP [minimum support price] for 22 crops, including rice, at 1.5 times of input cost,” said the Prime Minister.

Mr. Modi said, “The BJP government is making efforts to address fundamental problems relating to seed, fertilizers, irrigation or market yards. We are constantly trying to bring down the input cost, ensure higher price for produce and get rid of middle men.”

The Prime Minister said, “To increase the income of farmers, we are emphasising on animal husbandry along with farming. The Central government has sanctioned a ₹7,500-crore fund. Under the new programme, farmers interested in fishing could avail loan at concessional rate.”

Alleges corruption

Mr. Modi held Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik responsible for corruption becoming widespread in Odisha.

“What is the reason that from chit fund scam to PC culture [corruption in government programmes], the demon of corruption has become so strong in Odisha and who is that person feeding the demon? As answers to these questions come, the road for change would become clearer. The Centre would be able to work for the State more vigorously.”