Key BJP Manifesto Points on Agriculture

Key points from BJP Manifesto 2014 on Agriculture

1. Put in place strict measures and special Courts to stop hoarding and black marketing.
2. Unbundle FCI operations into procurement, storage and distribution for greater efficiency.
3. Leverage on technology to disseminate Real time data, especially to farmers - on production, prices, imports, stocks and overall availability.
4. Evolve a single 'National Agriculture Market'.
5. Promote and support area specific crops and vegetables linked to food habits of the people.
6. Strengthen the traditional employment bases of agriculture and allied industries, and retail -through modernization as well as stronger credit and market linkages.
7. Help the states mobilize resources through investments in industry, agriculture and infrastructure
8. Address the issue of Flood control in Assam and river water management.
9. Good performers amongst the Panchayats will be rewarded with additional developmental grants.
10. Strengthen the institution of the Gram Sabha, respecting their inputs and initiatives for development process.
11. Initiate a National e-Governance Plan to cover every Government office from the centre to the panchayats. The 'E-Gram, Vishwa Gram' scheme in Gujarat to be implemented nationwide.
12. pursue a mission mode project under the 'National Rural Internet and Technology Mission' for use of telemedicine and mobile healthcare for rural healthcare delivery; use of IT for agriculture for real time information; Self Help Groups; retail trade and SMEs; and rural entrepreneurs, etc.
13. Aim to gainfully employ rural poor in agriculture and allied activities.
14. Ensure contingency stocks for any exigencies arising due to natural calamities or external factors.
15. Through the idea of Rurban, we will bring urban amenities to our rural areas, while retaining the soul of the village.
16. A full-fledged programme for 'Rural Rejuvenation' will be made and implemented which will comprise of integrated strategies for personal, economic and social well being of the villagers.
17. Major thrust area for rural development would be to improve village level infrastructure in terms of roads, potable water, education, health, supply chain, electricity, broadband, job creation, security in rural areas and linkage to markets.
18. Increase public investment in agriculture and rural development.
19. Take steps to enhance the profitability in agriculture, by ensuring a minimum of 50% profits over the cost of production, cheaper agriculture inputs and credit.
20.  Introducing latest technologies for farming and high yielding seeds and linking MGNREGA to agriculture.
21. Put in place welfare measures for farmers above 60 years in age, small and marginal farmers and farm labours.
22. Introduce and promote low water consuming irrigation techniques and optimum utilization of water resources.
23. Introduce soil assessment based crop planning and setting up mobile soil testing labs.
24. Re-orient pest management and control programmes.
25. Implement and incentivize the setting up of the food processing industry that has remained just a plain talk till now. This will lead to better income for farmers and create jobs.
26. We aim to set up 'agro food processing clusters', with high value, export-quality and vacuum packed food processing facilities, etc.
27. Focus on the quality, productivity and trade of spices.
28. Set up the 'Organic Farming and Fertilizer Corporation of India', to promote organic farming and fertilizers, and provide incentives and support for marketing organic produce.
29. Introduce rotation farming for herbal products, based on geographical mapping, to enhance the income of farmers.
30. Implement a farm insurance scheme to take care of crop loss due to unforeseen natural calamities.
31. Strengthen and expand rural credit facilities.
32. Promote horticulture, floriculture, pisciculture, bee-keeping and poultry for generating jobs and income for rural India.
33. Promote fish farming and aqua culture. Measures would be taken for the welfare of fisherman.
34. Create Cluster based storage systems (e.g. Rice cluster, Wheat Cluster, Veg - Fruit cluster, Spices cluster).
35. Introduce the concept of consumer friendly farmers' market to reduce wastages and increase incomes and risk coverage.
36. Reform the APMC act.
37. Work with the states to set up seed culture labs in each district and regional agriculture innovation labs to conserve agro-biodiversity and to identify and preserve rare indigenous varieties.
38. Explore setting up of regional Kisan TV channels.
39. Give high priority to poverty alleviation in rural areas.
40. Genetically Modified (GM) foods will not be allowed without full scientific evaluation on its long-term effects on soil, production and biological impact on consumers.
41. BJP will adopt a 'National Land Use Policy', which will look at the scientific acquisition of non-cultivable land,and its development; protect the interest of farmers and keep in mind the food production goals and economic goals of the country. It's implementation would be monitored by the National Land Use Authority.
42. Launch the 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchayee Yojana' with a motto of 'har khet ko paani'. We will launch multi-pronged 'water strategy' for reducing farmer's dependence on monsoon. Increase irrigated land by completing the long pending irrigation projects on priority.
43. Inter-linking of rivers based on feasibility.
44. Ensuring food, agricultural, nutritional and environmental, wealth, health and energy security of the people on a sustainable basis, using science and technology.
45. Encouraging research and innovation in areas of relevance for the economy and society, particularly by promoting close and productive interaction between private and public institutions.
46. Sectors such as agriculture (particularly soil, water management, human and animal nutrition and fisheries), water, health, education, industry, energy including renewable energy, communication and transportation would be accorded highest priority.
47. Leveraging of technologies such as information technology, biotechnology and material sciences would be done with special importance.
48. Encouraging research and application to meet the challenges of climate change and for forecasting, prevention and mitigation of natural hazards, particularly floods, cyclones, earthquakes, drought and landslides.

                                                   

Compiled by Shri Rimapl Johal.

Concept and Editing by :

Shri Paritosh Vyas

National co Convener

BJP Samvad Cell

paritosh4india@gmail.com