siliconindia | | February 20208POLICIES & TAX REGULATIONS- THE CURRENT FARMING & AGRICULTURE SCENARIO IN INDIABy Dr. Malini Saba, Founder & Chairman, Saba Industries & Saba Family FoundationsFarming is not just an occupation, but a service to the nation. What is your opin-ion on the present agricultural scenario? How can the current status of farming be enhanced? Farming is one of the most widely followed occupations in our country. In India, about 58 percent of our population is dependent on this sector for their survival, while their produce is responsible for feeding about 16.8 percent of the total world's population. But these facts do not present the full picture. The truth is that in the past few years, our ag-ricultural scenario has witnessed a downfall. While earlier it contributed 61 percent to our GDP, today, its contribu-tion has reduced to only 19 percent. This is mainly because of the many factors spiralling around the slowdown in the growth rate of output, which in turn is leading to declining farmer's income and resulting in farmer's distress. Now, in order to enhance the present farming status, efforts should be made to increase the growth rate of output, for which there is a need for sustainable management of resources like land and water.As an industry thought leader, what is your opinion on the government's policies & regulations on farmers' concerns and agriculture development?The government is framing its policies and regulations with the main objectives of raising the productivity of in-puts by providing farmers with HYV seeds at low prices and introducing new irrigation projects for protecting the interest of underprivileged agriculturists by proving them with subsidized food access, offering them MSP for their produce, and for enhancing cropping by multi-cropping and inter-cropping practices. Now on one hand, where these policies are applaudable, on the other hand, they are not enough to erase the farmers' distress. There is still a need for increased investment in the agricultural sector, and a lot more needs to be done to support farmers financially.Are these efforts made by the government really effec-tive? In what way are they impacting farmers and farming?Yes, these efforts by the government are bearing fruits and offering some comfort to the farmers. The MSP en-sures farmers that their yield will earn them some re-turn, while the availability of fertilizes, tools and HYV seeds at low prices are enabling them to purchase the necessary equipment for farming. Moreover, the govern-Dr. Malini has been associated with the Saba Group for over two decades now, where she has helped underserved women and children gain access to life-saving medical and educational services in South & Southeast Asia, South America, Africa and the US. In an exclusive conversation with siliconindia, Dr. Malini shares her insights.IN MY OPINIONDr. Malini Saba, Founder & Chairman
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