(a) whether the National Policy for farmers 2007 calls for a paradigm shift from a
Commodity Centered to Human- Centered approach in agricultural planning and
programme;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action plan prepared to implement the
policy; and
(c) the details of the target fixed during the current financial year for the
implementation of the policy?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c): The National Policy for Farmers 2007 aims at the economic well–being of the farmers
and the major goal of the Policy is to improve the economic viability of farming by substantially
increasing the net income of farmers.Many of the on-going programmes and schemes of Government
are in line with the National Policy for Farmers 2007.Recently Government launched two new
schemes i.e. National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.These two schemes
are expected to go a long way in operationalising the provisions of the National Policy for
Farmers,2007 through state specific de-centralized strategy taking into account the agro-climatic
and other local conditions for development of agriculture and allied sectors.In addition,other
initiatives and schemes announced in the Union Budget 2008-09 for benefit of farmers and for
development of agriculture and allied sectors would facilitate implementation of the policy.These
include,inter alia,National Rural Health Mission,Integrated Child Development Services,National
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme,Agricultural credit including short-term crop loans,
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme,Rainfed Area Development Programme,Micro Irrigation,
National Horticulture Mission,setting up of soil testing laboratories,National Agricultural
Insurance Scheme,pilot scheme of Weather Based Crop Insurance,Package to revive the
Cooperative Credit Structure,Debt Waiver and Debt Relief for farmers,Strengthening of
Public Distribution System,social security to workers in the un-organized sectors,etc.