‘We Will Train Farmers, Not Waive Off Loans’

For the Agriculture Ministry, the past three years have been challenging to say the least. There was continuous rainfall deficit for last two years, along with extreme weather conditions, alarming number of farmer suicides and a dilemma over loan waivers. However despite these challenges, the Agriculture Ministry managed to get a 4.4 per cent growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, speaks to journalists, including BW Businessworld’s Prabodh Krishna about the challenges and achievements of his ministry and the way forward.

Edited Excerpts:

What are your plans for the farmers of areas like Marathwada, Bundelkhand and other troubled spots in the country? How will you co-ordinate with the finance ministry and waive off loans?
It was Uttar Pradesh government’s decision of waiving off loan for small farmers, it has nothing to do with Central government. We are banking on training of farmers rather than waiving off loans. I remember, the party which ruled for many decades had 99 schemes pending for agriculture, had they assured implementation of those schemes, farmers might have had a better living standard.

National Crime Record Bureau has a data that shows more number of suicides by farmers, who took loan from organised financial institutions rather than unorganised lenders. What is your government doing for them?
There are some flaws in system. We are seriously working on the transparency of the system and that will surely help.

There are lapses in Odisha’s soil health card distribution status, how will agriculture institutions will resolve it? What is the government doing to solve this?
Our scientists are trying to develop a micro laboratory for soil test. We have funded the States to make maximum reach among farmers for soil health cards and to improve the conditions of old labs. Field extension is the subject of State governments. We are coordinating with them to make it effective.

Did the government inform court about its inability to implement recommendations of the Swami Nathan Commission for increasing minimum support price by 50 per cent?
We have accepted most of the recommendations by the Commission. PM Modi has said that we will increase the earnings of farmers by one-and-half times. Few people took it as increase by one-and-half fold in Minimum Support Prices. The Commission gave its recommendations in 2006 -- what else do you expect from previous government that has no idea of difference between wheat and barley? I know that MSP is a major factor, but it is not everything.

You quoted of record production and record settlement of insurance claim together, how is that possible?
I said insurance settlement by farmers without loan, it means farmers have started showing faith in the Crop Insurance Scheme. Such farmers get claims only in case of calamity.

What is Gokul Gram Mission? How will it be implemented?
Gokul Mission is a broad vision and Gokul Gram is one part of it. We have only 20 per cent of milk produced by country cows. So, we have planned Gokul Mission where we can work upon good breeds of country cows. We have 60 per cent of fund for milk production and rest is for the cows that are old enough to produce milk.

Your views on genetically modified mustard?
It is the subject of the Ministry of Environment. Our ministry works for enhancement in production, whatever good is recommended for farmers, we do it.