Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Tuesday said the Modi government is committed to "double the income" of farmers but made it clear that their income should not be linked to minimum support price (MSP) of agricultural produce only.
"Our government is certainly committed to double the income of the farm community. But it should not always be linked to the MSP. Substantial income for farmers also should come from allied sectors like livestock farming and fisheries," Singh told reporters here.
He said the government had taken a number of steps to help farmers and rural people to enhance their income through agri-allied sectors.
Therefore, he said multi-pronged steps are being taken to boost animal husbandary, dairy farming and fisheries.
"In olden times, every courtyard was self-content with a kitchen garden and livestock, piggery and poultry farm. But as land declined and allied sectors were neglected, the burden on the farming community increased," he said adding the government is trying to correct anomalies in some of these areas.
"Due to our consistent policy and efforts, fish production has increased to 101.64 tonnes in 2014-15 from 95.72 lakh tonnes in the previous fiscal," Singh said adding that fish production for 2015-16 will also see over seven percent growth at 109 lakh tonnes.
The minister said higher growth rate in both agriculture and overall economy were on the cards due to prediction of a good monsoon.
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Listing out various achievements of his ministry during the last two years, he said the electronic trading platform for agri products launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a game-changer.
"Similarly, much has been done on the Pradhanmantri Gram Sichai Yojana, wherein efforts are being made to improve water conservation across the country," he said.
--IANS
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