Budget emphasises on investing in rural infrastructure: Rajesh Aggarwal

The Finance Minister has rightfully recognised the stress on agriculture incomes and put emphasis on investing in rural infrastructure. The allocation of Rs 5,300 crore towards micro-irrigation, watershed development initiatives is a particularly welcome measure. We all know that a bulk of our population is dependent on the farm sector and the farm sector in turn is heavily dependent on the monsoon. A rainfall deficit always affects the farm sector and the agro chemical industry. This dependence on monsoon should reduce and we need a thrust on building micro-irrigation facilities which is there in the budget.
 
Another positive scheme that the government has announced is the soil health card scheme that aims to improve soil fertility. We are optimistic about this scheme and believe it will be highly beneficial to farmers. Besides, we also appreciate the budget’s thrust on manufacturing in line with ‘Make in India’.
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Rajesh Aggarwal is the managing director of Insecticides India Ltd