In strong pitch, PM Modi says laws open new doors for farmers

PM Modi on Saturday made a strong pitch for agricultural reforms legislated by the government saying that they increase the marketing options for farmers without taking away the one of trading through mandis.
Addressing the annual general meeting of FICCI, the PM said while mandis are being strengthened and modernised, the new laws give farmers the option of selling their produce anywhere. His comments come in the backdrop of a deadlock between farmer groups agitating against the new agriculture laws and the Centre. Referring to the economic uncertainties around the Covid-19 pandemic, the PM said the situation, however, appeared to have changed by December when economic indicators are now quite encouraging.
“We have answers (to those problems) as well as a roadmap (for recovery).… The things learnt by the nation at the time of cri sis have further strengthened the resolutions of future,” said Modi while addressing FICCI’s 93rd annual convention.

The PM said the reforms would help bring investment to strengthen cold storage and food processing infrastructure for the benefit of farmers. “Investment in the sector will help our small and marginal farmers. We don’t want walls between different sectors. We want more and more bridges to support each other,” said the PM.
Modi said the private sector has not done enough to tap investment opportunities in the agri-sector (cold chain etc) and asserted that the measures taken in the recent past , such as allowing the blending of ethanol with petrol, will help improve farm incomes.

The PM said the reforms would help bring investment to strengthen cold storage and food processing infrastructure for the benefit of farmers. “Investment in the sector will help our small and marginal farmers. We don’t want walls between different sectors. We want more and more bridges to support each other,” said the PM.
Modi said the private sector has not done enough to tap investment opportunities in the agri-sector (cold chain etc) and asserted that the measures taken in the recent past , such as allowing the blending of ethanol with petrol, will help improve farm incomes.