Agriculture Current Affair 7 February 2022

Budget will help boost shrimp and milk production, says livestock industry

“Duty reduction on certain inputs required for shrimp aquaculture to promote its exports is a welcome move as it will further boost entrepreneurial mindset and help in job creation. Lowering production cost of shrimp hatchery and feed will promote growth in the sector. The fisheries and aquaculture sector has tremendous potential to generate livelihood and income,” said Amit Saraogi, chairman, Livestock Taskforce, CII Eastern Regional Council.

“Increased allocation under Livestock Health and Disease Control programme from Rs 8.86 billion in RE 2021-22 to Rs 20.00 billion the 2022-23 BE, reiterates GOI’s focus on supporting livestock betterment. This is expected to bolster cattle productivity and increase raw milk availability for dairy processors,” said Sharad, adding, “Reduction in alternative minimum tax rates for cooperative societies will positively impact margins of dairy cooperatives lending cushion for further capex in dairy processing and passing on benefits to dairy farmers.”

Union Budget 2022: Sowing seeds of chemical-free farming

The Budget looks at taking agriculture on a sustained higher growth trajectory with an emphasis on digital infrastructure and incentivising investments through public private partnership, said experts.

“The measures address key issues of livelihood generation, enhancing farmer incomes and building climate resilience. The substantive enhancement of public expenditure will create a multiplier impact on growth and competitiveness. The multi-dimensional interventions to usher in Next Generation Agriculture through digitalisation, R&D, leveraging strengths of agri-techs and FPOs, will transform the agri sector,” said Sanjiv Puri, chairman, ITC.

Experts said that the increased outlay for PM Gati Shakti, including 100 new railways logistics hubs will speed up supply chain, reduce logistic cost, ensure smooth movement of agricultural produce across the country and help in reducing wastage.

Mills exports 26.5 lakh tonnes of sugar till Jan in 2021-22 market year

Sugar mills have exported 26.5 lakh tonnes of sugar in the first four months of the 2021-22 marketing year ending September, the government said on Wednesday. In 2020-21, 70 lakh tonnes of sugar was exported.

In reply to a Lok Sabha question, Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said, “Till date, contracts of about 40 lakh tonnes have been signed for export of sugar in current sugar season 2021-22 and that too without announcement of any export subsidy.

“It is also estimated that in sugar season 2021-22, about 50-60 lakh tonnes of sugar is likely to be exported by domestic sugar mills,” the minister said.