Doubling the farmers income by 2022 achievable, says NABARD Chairman

The target of doubling the farmer income by 2022 is very much possible if agricultural best practices are adopted, said Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Chairman National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development ( NABARD) on the sidelines of an international seminar on agriculture hosted by NABARD today.

"Yes it is very much achievable. We have had examples within this country where more than 10 percent agricultural growth has happened within a year in some states. How quickly we adopt those practices would certainly support this endeavour," Bhanwala said while speaking to ANI.

He emphasized that this would involve cost cutting experiments at the farmer's level, On farm enhanced productivity, technological applications for reducing their cost, better market access and diversifying their produce from allied activities like fisheries, dairy sector, horticulture, forestry and bee keeping.

"Better Market access so that the farmer gets better realization would certainly contribute to the aim of increasing farmers income. Various state governments and Government of India are working for action plans and NABARD has also initiated some seven pilot projects on this," NABARD Chairman said.

He also suggested that for improved market access, farmers should get united and form a producers association which can help reduce their transportation costs to market and increase their quantity of production.

Bhanwala also recommended technological interventions to stabilize production, information about the spot prices and infrastructure facilities for storage like warehouses at agricultural markets should be improved.

"Storage facilities should be developed. For example, in case of milk there are so many chilling plants available, it doesn't get destroyed even though it is the most perishable commodity. Because a system has been developed for procurement, storage and transport to the market, such a system is still not that developed in case of vegetables," he said.

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