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HomePosts Tagged "Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA)"
Acts & Schemes – Centre, AgroPolicy

Report provides extensive analysis of the government’s achievements; Highlights include 11 Crore Farmers benefiting from PM Kisan and a staggering 7350% increase in pulses procurement at MSP.

The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), a non-profit organization representing the cause of millions of farmers and farm workers of commercial crops across the States of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka etc. convened a seminar today at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi – Ensuring Farmer Livelihoods: Enhancing Farmer Incomes Through Sustainable Farming Practices.

During the seminar, FAIFA released a Report titled – TRANSFORMATION IN INDIA’S AGRICULTURE which highlighted key achievements in the agriculture sector in the last decade. The Report also put forward strategies to enhance farmer incomes in a sustainable manner. The seminar was graced by Sh. GVL Narasimha Rao, Former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. The Key Speakers in the seminar were Prof MV Ashok, Senior Adviser BAIF Research and Development Foundation Pune and Former Chief General Manager, NABARD and Dr JP Tandon, Former Director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

The Report conducted an extensive analysis of the government’s achievements, providing a wealth of facts and figures. Some noteworthy highlights provided in the document include:

A remarkable 300 percent plus increase in budget allocation for agriculture over the span of 9 years

Over 11 crore farmers benefited from the PM Kisan scheme

A massive 7350 percent increase in pulses procurement at MSP

Production of over 330.5 million metric tons of food grains in the fiscal year 2022-23

Creation of 4.60 lakh Seed Villages and production of over 102 million metric tons of seeds

Recognition of over 7,000 Agri and allied start-ups in the agricultural sector

Coverage of 76 lakh hectares under the Per Drop More Crop (Drip Irrigation) initiative since 2015

Achievement of 221.06 million metric tons of milk production, marking a 51 percent increase over 9 years

Coverage of over 11 lakh hectares under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2016, among various other notable accomplishments.

The FAIFA Report put the spotlight on the term “Jai Kisan,” emphasising that the diverse fabric of India’s agricultural economy has been a consistent aspect of its identity throughout history. It acclaimed the farmers or the Annadaatas and stated that they have earned the foremost access to opportunities without question. The FAIFA Report commended the government’s decade-long efforts, acknowledging a comprehensive approach that has borne fruit. From initiatives supporting farmers’ income, agricultural insurance schemes and expanded irrigation coverage to promoting organic farming, empowering women farmers, bolstering infrastructure and digitizing services, the government has embraced a holistic strategy in championing the cause of the farmers.

Javare Gowda, President, Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) on the release of the Report said, “The strides made by the government in the agriculture sector and for farmers are commendable. Efforts are being tirelessly invested in augmenting farmer income and ensuring their security, aiding our invaluable ‘Annadata’ in feeding our nation and the world too. Key policy initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) have played pivotal roles in extending financial and income support to farmers. For instance, the PM-KISAN Samman Yojana annually provides direct financial assistance to lakhs of farmers, including marginal and small farmers, totaling over Rs 2.80 lakh crore disbursed so far. Also, crop insurance coverage has been extended to 4 crore farmers under PMFBY.”

Report provides extensive analysis of the government's

AgroPolicy

FCV crop size has witnessed a sharp drop of 39% from 316 million kg per annum to 194 million kg per annum between 2013-14 to 2021-22 due to high taxes on legal cigarettes. 

Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), flagged the issue with relates to the consumption price of legal cigarettes in India that has reached the maximum limit to a level where the purchasing capacity of consumers can absorb against the backdrop of cheaper and fast-growing illicit cigarettes and alternatives. It also stated that any further increase in taxes would lead to a severe reduction in flue-cured Virginia (FCV) cultivation and impact the livelihoods of farmers.

The increase has resulted in shrinkage of FCV crop size by a sharp 39 per cent from 316 million kg per annum to 194 million kg per annum between 2013-14 to 2021-22. The FCV cultivation acreage in India has also witnessed a huge drop from 2,21,385 hectares in 2013-14 to 1,22,257 hectares in 2020-21 leading to 35 million man-days of employment loss.

Pointing to the plight of FCV tobacco farmers, Gadde Seshagiri Rao, Ex-Vice Chairman, Tobacco Board & Vice President, FAIFA stated, “The above situation is stressing the farm community as consumers shift to smuggled cigarettes that do not use domestic tobacco. Given that India has a huge and widespread dependence on the tobacco crop for livelihood, the government must act reasonably and responsibly to bring price parity between cigarettes and other forms of tobacco to check the illicit cigarettes market.”

FAIFA also highlighted that the tobacco farmers in the country are suffering due to the actions of vested groups that are advocating high taxes on FCV tobacco under the garb of achieving the government’s tobacco control goals. These groups are bombarding the policymakers with misleading data and flawed research reports that present a skewed picture of the illegal cigarette trade in India to downplay the severity of the illegal cigarette trade in the country.

Javare Gowda, President, FAIFA stated, “It is noteworthy to know that a recently released report by Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) states that one of the largest global cigarettes MNC as part of its market expansion strategy has been using smuggling as one of the distribution channels to increase their market penetration.”

Murali Babu, General Secretary, FAIFA, commented, “ It is high time that the government takes an all-en-compassioning approach to meet its tobacco control goals so that the interests of FCV tobacco farmers are also protected.”

Yashwanth, National Spokesperson, Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) stated, “The government needs to embrace an integrated approach to tobacco control in India given tobacco industry’s substantial contribution to the country’s GDP and livelihood dependence on tobacco farming.”

FCV crop size has witnessed a sharp