The initiative to promote organic, natural, and other eco-friendly farming methods benefits Kerala both in the domestic market and in the global spice trade, according to P. Indira Devi, Director (Agri expert), Kerala State Farmers Welfare Board.
Several trade prohibitions are currently in effect as a result of chemical residues. Agriculture in Kerala is distinct from agriculture in the rest of India, with a higher proportion of plantation and horticultural crops, and it is also ecologically significant. She also stated that people’s socioeconomic characteristics contribute to the need for high-quality food and the environment.
Sitharaman stated in Parliament while presenting the Budget 2022-23 that inclusive development is one of the government’s four priorities going forward.
She went on to say that the decision to promote the use of drones in the application of pesticides and other chemicals is concerning because of previous aerial spraying of cashew farms in Kasaragod and the accompanying health issues.
Given the vast network of water bodies and densely packed fields and human settlements in Kerala, the protocol for aerial spray has to be thoroughly standardized for different chemicals.
She stated that the specific mention of enabling agroforestry systems as a form of climate change management may be accessed by the State for its unique household farming systems.
Support for oil seeds and millets may also be efficiently used for the state’s principal crop coconut and expanding area under traditional millets, particularly in Attappadi districts where there is currently a program in place, she noted.
She believes that if MSP coverage had been expanded to more crops, it would have assisted in encouraging sustainability and agricultural income diversification.
States will also be encouraged to update agricultural universities curricula to meet the demands of natural zero-budget and organic farming, modern-day agriculture, value addition, and management, FM stated.
Concerning agri-crop procurement, the FM stated that the government’s acquisition of wheat and paddy at the minimum support price (MSP) in 2021-22 will include 1,208 lakh tonnes from 163 lakh farmers. “The direct payment of MSP value to their accounts would be Rs.2.37 lakh crore,” she added.
Since 2023 has been designated as the International Year of Millets, the FM stated that the government will provide post-harvest assistance to increase domestic consumption of millet goods worldwide.
The FM also stated that the government will put policies in place and make the necessary legal changes to promote agroforestry and private forestry.
She also stated that farmers from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would be given financial assistance if they chose to engage in agroforestry.