Agriculture no longer a viable vocation: Par Panel

Expressing concern over state of affairs in agriculture, a parliamentary panel has said the sector is no longer a "viable vocation" and asked the government to make it more remunerative.
The Parliamentary standing committee on Agriculture headed by BJP MP Hukmdev Narayan Yadav said the condition of small and marginal farmers is 'pitiable' and suggested the government to increase the financial allocation to the sector.
Besides, the vocation of agriculture needs to be remunerative like any other vocation, the report suggested.
Despite the fact that farm sector plays a vital role in the nation's economy, the panel is constrained to note that things are not satisfactory in the vital component of the economy, the report said.

The country is still far from achieving the goal of food and nutritional security for the poor, it added.
"The condition of farmers, especially the small and marginal farmers is very pitiable," the panel said.

With rising cost of agricultural inputs, vagaries of climate change and a myriad of other problems like depleting water table, this sector is not a viable option, the report said.
"..The agriculture sector is no longer a viable vocation. Deeply perturbed and concerned at this alarming state of affairs, the committee impresses upon the government to take a stock of the situation in a holistic manner and work in real earnest to bringing a turnaround of the agriculture sector..," it added.

The panel also emphasised that every trolling farmer of the country should be adequately paid in return for their produce.
The Department of Agriculture, being the nodal agency of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, should also ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme and act as a facilitator and coordinator with other departments, the report added.