(PTI)
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the government has undertaken the ambitious task of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 so that farming becomes sustainable. Observing that India has a huge population dependent on agriculture for livelihood, he said, “therefore, increase in the purchasing power of this group is extremely important for us because growth of larger economy depends on economic potential and power of this group itself.” Pointing out that the agriculture community world over is vulnerable, Jaitley said countries try various methodologies for supporting the sector.
“Some highly developed countries directly, by different forms of subsidies, ensure money goes into the pockets of their farmers and the countries that don’t have that level of affordability still have to struggle with the challenge that sustenance level is maintained (for farmers),” he said at an event organised by Nabard here. Referring to the government’s initiative in this direction, the finance minister said India is trying to double farmers’ income by 2022.
