The Kerala budget has unveiled ambitious projects worth 2071.95 crore rupees to inject new life into the state’s agricultural sector. The government’s primary objective is to sustain the growth rate achieved over the past five years, overcoming the stagnation experienced since 2011-12. To this end, efforts to reform the market and adapt to climate change are being strengthened, with 100 crore rupees allocated for the Kera (KERA) project, implemented with assistance from the World Bank.
The budget aims to provide the best possible support and new initiatives for the complete protection of the agricultural sector in the state.
The 2024 Kerala agriculture budget introduces several significant measures to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity.
Support Prices and Subsidies
- Procurement Price: The procurement price for paddy has been increased to 30 rupees per kilogram.
- Subsidies for Farmers:
- Farmers will receive an input subsidy of 5,000 rupees.
- An additional production bonus of 1,000 rupees will be provided.
- Financial assistance of up to 3,000 rupees is allocated for those cultivating fallow land.
- Fisheries and Aquaculture: Those engaged in aquaculture will receive assistance of up to 40,000 rupees.
Paddy Procurement Modernization
- New Procurement System: The existing PRS (Paddy Receipt Sheet) loan system will be replaced. A new system will allow farmers to sell paddy directly to the Kerala State Co-operative Bank.
- Fund Allocation: An amount of 150 crore rupees has been earmarked for the paddy procurement system and related projects.
Significant allocations have been made for the development of vegetables and coconuts, underscoring the state’s commitment to diverse agricultural growth.
- Vegetable Development: 78.45 crore rupees are allocated for comprehensive vegetable development.
- Coconut Development: 73 crore rupees are dedicated to coconut development.
- Organic Farming: 18 crore rupees are allocated for organic farming activities under the VFPCK scheme.
- Spice Development: The allocation for spice development has been increased from 7.60 crore rupees to 15 crore rupees.
- Agricultural University: The grants for the Kerala Agricultural University have been increased by 2 crore rupees, bringing the total to 78 crore rupees.
Promoting soil health and modern agricultural practices are central to the budget’s vision for sustainable farming.
- Soil Health Enhancement: To maintain soil fertility and encourage modern methods, special projects have been designed. 31.15 crore rupees are set aside for promoting soil health and integrated nutrient management.
- Crop Health Management: 13 crore rupees are allocated for overall crop health management.
- Organic Farming and GAP: 5.25 crore rupees are allocated in the budget to promote organic farming and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
- Value-Added Products: 13.44 crore rupees are approved for the production of value-added products from fruits and vegetables under the “Garden Fresh” brand.
The budget also focuses on attracting youth to agriculture through modern technology and promoting mechanization to enhance efficiency.
- Attracting Youth: The budget includes strategic recommendations to attract young people to agriculture through modern technologies.
- Financial Support for Modern Farming: 10 crore rupees are allocated to provide loans with a 3% interest subsidy for those starting precision farming and hi-tech farming ventures.
- Agricultural Service Centers: To address labor shortages, agricultural service centers and ‘Karma Sena’ (labor army) units will be strengthened to provide services through a single-window system, with 10 crore rupees allocated.
- Crop Insurance: With 33.14 crore rupees set aside for crop insurance schemes, the government aims to ensure comprehensive protection for Kerala’s farmers.
What is the total budget allocated for agriculture in Kerala for 2024?
The total budget allocated for agriculture in Kerala for 2024 is 2071.95 crore rupees.
What is the new procurement price for paddy?
The new procurement price for paddy is 30 rupees per kilogram.
How is the government promoting organic farming?
The government is promoting organic farming with an allocation of 5.25 crore rupees and through schemes like the VFPCK, which has 18 crore rupees allocated for organic farming activities.
What measures are being taken to attract youth to agriculture?
The budget includes recommendations to attract youth through modern technologies and provides a 10 crore rupee allocation for loans with a 3% interest subsidy for precision and hi-tech farming ventures.
What is the KERA project?
The KERA (Kerala Extension Reforms in Agriculture) project is a World Bank-assisted initiative focused on market reforms and climate change adaptation in the agricultural sector, with an allocation of 100 crore rupees.
