No.PR-291 October 19, 2020 New Delhi
Farm Bill 2020 is a Game Changer to liberalize Indian economy to “One Nation One Market”- Mr. P K Swain, IPOS
Addressing and appreciating PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. P K Swain, IPOS, Joint Secretary (Marketing & AMA), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare said that the New Farm Bill 2020 will act as a game changer to liberalize Indian economy and providing an ecosystem of One Nation One Market to revolutionize farmers into entrepreneurs and creating a platform for India to be more self reliant and capturing investment opportunities in International sphere in a Web Discussion on AtmanirbharKrishi se Aatmanirbhar Bharat held today.
He also highlighted about the pro-active steps initiated by the Government to double farmers income with technology advancements and policy implementations. Further going ahead, Mr Swain added that India is the power house of agriculture produce and the sector has the potential to revive and rejuvenate India’s economy on the basis of the philosophical foundation of Atmanirbharta.
Mr Vijay Kumar V., Managing Director & CEO, NCDEX mentioned the importance of governance and public private investment in agriculture sector. He stated that connectivity of market should be encouraged enabling a direct link to Farmers, multi-players and industry stakeholders.
Mr. Sanjay Sacheti, Country Head – India Region, Olam Agro India Ltd appreciated the selection of topic and stated that the New Farm Bill, 2020 will improve competitiveness of India as an Exporting Country. While suggesting that digitization of land records and land leasing framework should be done, he added that the need of the hour is collectivization of farming to build India as a food surplus country in coming times.
Mr. Siraj Chaudhry, MD & CEO, NCML said that the new farm laws are reflective of agri-economy moving from scarcity to surplus. The Farm Bill, 2020 will act as a catalyst to remove barriers and transform agriculture sector to an organized sector. He suggested that a concentrated efforts from all stakeholders is needed for building supply chains and incentivizing of the new law. he stressed upon the critical role to be played bby the State governments as one pertinent stakeholder.
Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh, Additional Managing Director, NAFED highlighted about the role of NAFED and MSP procurement done by them. He recommended that commodity specific FPO should be built to correct the fragmented land holding issue. He concluded stating the importance of new farm bill, 2020 in bringing fortune and growth in the sector.
Mr. Sarat Mulukutla, Chief Business Officer, Agribazaar deliberated the importance of Public Private Investment in the sector to achieve employment opportunities and facilitate the growth of farmers, traders, investors in the country. He suggested that availability of electronic agricultural markets is the need of the our transform agriculture and support the new farm bill, 2020.
Mr Rajnikant Rai, ITC mentioned the importance of quality standards that has to be maintained with the surpluses of the economy and production as per the demands of the market. He recommended that Minimum support price should be given as a cash transfer if there is a difference in MSP and open market to maintain the equilibrium and boost the economy.
Mr. Avijit Saha, Business Head, Rural & Inclusive Banking, ICICI Bank while discussing about the database of agriculture contribution as a percent of GDP, he stated that directly or indirectly 35% which includes agriculture and manufacturing & services sector depends upon agriculture commodity as a raw material. He stated that new farm bill, 2020 shall more deeproot the economy if S A T would be encouraged which means enough Storage across rural areas; Accessibility to market & digital way of marketing the agri-produce and Transportation.
Mr. Ch. Yashwanth, National Spokesman, Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) said that the bill looks promising and will encourage the investors to invest; increase value addition to the sector and reduce wastage. He urged the government to ensure awareness programmes and to aware farmers to get educated with the new farm bill, 2020 for a better understanding and implementation of the bill.
Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his presidential address deliberated about the opportunities emerging from the agriculture reforms proposed through the Farmers’ Bills for the rural youth and industry stakeholders. With the clarion call of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, we need to engage with the world based on the strength of our economy in a self-reliant way so that we become a strong player globally along with a strengthened economy and industry, he added.
Mr N K Aggarwal, Chair- Agribusiness committee, PHDCCI in his welcome address highlighted the importance of agriculture in fulfilling the Aatma Nirbhar theme set by the Hon’ble Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi. While appreciating the proactive steps taken by the Government and introducing the New Farm Bill, 2020, he stated that India is a self reliant country and need to focus more on production of oil seeds to reduce the import dependence and walk on the pathways of efficiency and economic growth.
The formal vote of thanks was given by Ms Mallika Verma, Director, Agribusiness and Food Processing, PHDCCI. The session was sponsored by Agribazaar and was attended by more than 100 industry stalwarts majorly from FPOs, global food MNCs, food processing, beverages, dairy etc.
Ends Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry