Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday asserted there was no adverse effect of demonetisation on the farmers and the farm growth in 2016-17 will be much better than the last few years.
Citing examples to prove his point on demonetisation, Singh said the sale of milk has increased during the period of note ban and mentioned higher sale of Amul, Mother Diary and Delhi Milk Scheme.
“Before demonetisation the average sale of milk by Amul per day was Rs64.55 crore. After demonetisation, it has increased to Rs74.25 crore per day in November-December. Similarly, before demonetisation the average sale of Mother Dairy milk was 28.06 lakh litre, the average cost was Rs11.42 crore. After demonetisation it has increased to 29.61 lakh litre per day. In November-December the average cost is Rs12.05 crore per day. Under Delhi Milk Scheme average sale was 2.70 lakh litre per day and average cost was Rs1.05 crore per day. After demonetisation it has increased to 2.76 lakh litre in November-December,” Singh said on Thursday while listing out his ministry's achievements in the last two and a half years.
The minister claimed that the growth in agriculture sector will be higher during the current fiscal due to good monsoon spell. He added that the Centre is ready to procure pulses and other crops if rates fall below the minimum support price (MSP) level.
Responding to queries on farmers' distress in view of sharp fall in wholesale prices of various commodities including pulses, onion and potatoes, Singh said the government is procuring various products under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to ensure MSP to farmers. On onions and potatoes, he added that the Centre will start MIS operation after the state governments send the proposal for the same.
“I have not received any proposal so far in case of onions and potatoes,” the minister said. While acknowledging that the farmers have faced some discomfort due to demonetisation, he added that it has not impacted the ongoing sowing of rabi crops like wheat. “In fact, rabi sown area till yesterday was higher than the year-ago period,” Singh said. He mentioned that for expansion of cultivation of new kinds of seeds, Rs.7.85 lakhs mini-kits have been distributed to farmers free of cost this year through the State Governments.