Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Commerce and Industry and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal, recently highlighted the significance of the agriculture sector in India’s journey towards becoming ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. He emphasized this during the launch ceremony of the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ (Digital Gateway) of the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) in New Delhi.
Importance of ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’
Shri Piyush Goyal commended the farmers for their contribution to securing the lives of millions of Indians. He noted that the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ initiative, leveraging technology, aims to streamline farmers’ warehousing logistics and ensure fair prices for their produce.
Reduction in Security Deposit Charges
To encourage more farmers, especially small ones, to utilize WDRA registered warehouses, Shri Goyal announced a reduction in security deposit charges. The new policy will require farmers stocking their produce to pay only a 1% security deposit, down from the previous 3%.
Role in Making Farming Attractive
The Minister emphasized the importance of the ‘Digital Gateway’ initiative in making farming more attractive. He highlighted its significance in preventing distress sales by farmers, thereby improving their income opportunities.
Enhancement of Farmer Welfare
Shri Goyal underscored the importance of well-monitored and highly-rated warehouses under WDRA in protecting farm produce and enhancing farmers’ welfare. He advocated for mandatory registration of warehouses utilized by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and urged for infrastructure readiness in state warehouses.
Features of ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’
Elaborating on the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ platform, Shri Goyal outlined its simplified digital process and its benefits, including storage at registered WDRA warehouses for up to 6 months at 7% interest per annum. He set a target of registering 1 lakh warehouses on the portal.
Integration with Technology
The Minister highlighted how initiatives like ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ and e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) enable farmers to leverage technology for interconnected markets, beyond selling their produce to the government at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Cooperative Sector Support
Shri Goyal also announced plans for the world’s largest cooperative food grain storage scheme and proposed free registration of all godowns under the cooperative sector. This initiative aims to further boost farmers’ confidence in storing their produce in WDRA facilities, ensuring fair prices upon selling their harvest.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary objective of the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ initiative launched by the WDRA?
- A) To streamline farmers’ warehousing logistics
- B) To provide free agricultural equipment to farmers
- C) To establish new agricultural markets
- D) To reduce government intervention in agricultural affairs
- What is the reduced security deposit charge announced by Shri Piyush Goyal for farmers stocking their produce at WDRA registered warehouses?
- A) 2%
- B) 1%
- C) 5%
- D) 10%
- What does Shri Piyush Goyal suggest can be prevented by the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ initiative?
- A) Distress sale by farmers
- B) Government subsidies on agricultural inputs
- C) Expansion of agricultural land
- D) Foreign competition in agricultural markets