BENGALURU: By announcing Rs 10 lakh crore for the Agriculture sector in the Budget, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has painted a rosy picture for farmers. But in Karnataka, where many farmer suicides had been recorded in the last few years, the major challenge is implementation, say experts. Senior agricultural scientist M Mahadevappa said that if at least 70 per cent of the budget announced for agri sector is implemented, it will be a record.
“By announcing hi-speed internet in rural areas, internet will penetrate to villages and farmers will benefit,” he said. On the announcement of 24X7 power supply to rural areas by 2018, Mahadevappa said this will largely benefit farmers. “At present, such facility is available in Gujarat. In Karnataka, the rural sector is not getting complete power supply,” he said.
Prof H Shivanna, Vice-Chancellor, University Of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), said the budget looks good with many schemes and initiatives. “But implementation is the challenge before the Union government,” he said.
Dr S V Hittalamani, former Additional Director, Horticulture, welcomed the announcement of a model law for contract farming.