Deliberations were made on thematic areas of the Agriculture Budget for coming financial year 2016-17 at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Parsad Padhi on Monday wherein Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Finance R Balakrishnan outlined the issues for discussion.
Considering the suggestions put forth by the experts and concerned departments, the Chief Secretary advised the Agriculture department to prepare a thematic based budget for the coming financial year with the target of maximising the outcomes through convergence of various schemes at ground level.
Chief Secretary Padhi further directed to develop a comprehensive crop insurance policy for both the loanee and non-loanee farmers. He focused on reducing the time gap for disbursal of compensatory assistance by the insurance companies to the farmers. The Chief Secretary also advised to rationalise the subsidy and incentive structures to maximise the outcome and enhance the productivity in each of the sectors like paddy and non-paddy farming, fishery, animal husbandry, horticulture etc. Marketing of the agricultural products also figured in the meeting.
Development Commissioner Balakrishnan emphasised on development of an institutional structure for convergence of various departments at service delivery level. He also directed the Finance department to consolidate the suggestions relating to agricultural sector as put forth by members of the public, civil society, advocacy groups and stakeholders. It was decided that the Agriculture department would do due diligence of these suggestions while preparing the draft budget.
Principal Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena also presented the issues relating to maximum utilisation of the irrigation potential created through various schemes. It was decided to develop a comprehensive programme for maximum use of the irrigation water through a convergence approach between Agriculture and Water Resources and Cooperation departments.
Notably, the State Government started a separate Agriculture Budget from the year 2013-14. Over last three years, there has been constant increase in the budgetary allocation in this sector. It has been substantially enhanced from Rs 7,161.87 crore in 2013 to Rs 10,903.61 crore in 2015-16. In the year 2013-14, around 27.26 per cent (Rs 7,161.84 crore in absolute terms) enhanced budgetary provisions were made in the separate agriculture budget in comparison to the agricultural allocations that were made in the general budget year before. This increased to Rs 8,060.70 crore in 2014-15 with an increase of 12.55 per cent. In the 3rd subsequent year i.e.2014-15, the Agriculture Budget was further enhanced to Rs 10,903.61 crore with a marked increase of 14.27 per cent.