Subsidies in Agriculture-:
Subsidies in Agriculture -:
Subsidies can be defined as financial assistance provided by the government in order to ensure
Subsidies have always been used as an important tool in order to reduce the impact of poverty over the general consumers. They can be classified into two important types:-
1. Indirect subsidies
2. Direct subsidies
In case of indirect subsidies the benefit is provided by the government to the consumers or the beneficiaries but the payment is done by the government to someone else. For Example prior to the scheme of Direct Benefit Transfer- DBT, even in case of LPG cylinders indirect subsidies were given. The consumer was provided cylinder at a subsidized price but the payment was done by the government to the oil marketing companies. Indirect subsidies may lead to misuse of resources. It is mainly because all the beneficiaries may not be real.
On the other hand in case of direct subsidies the benefit of the subsidy reaches the consumer. At
the same time even the payment is made by the government to be beneficiary directly. For Example -in case of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Direct subsidies prevent misuse of resources, which helps the government to reduce financial burden.
Even in agricultural sector subsidies have always been used by the government as a tool to support the farmers. The centre and the states, both provide subsidies in agricultural sector.
However most of the subsidies are indirect subsidies. Because of this diversion of resources is still a common problem in this sector. The centre and states provide subsidy to the farmers, with respect to payment of a premium over crop insurance through scheme such as, Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana. In case of loan through Kisan credit card and interest subvention is provided as subsidy by the centre. Even on urea which is a nitrogenous fertilizer, subsidy is provided by the central government. On the other hand the states provide subsidy on seeds, electricity etc.
PDS and Food Security Act can also be seen as subsidies related to agriculture but they are not
for the farmers but for the consumers.
Although subsidies are used as an instrument to support the farmers and to keep the cost of
agricultural down but they are meant for consumption eventually. Such subsidies are consumed every year and the farmer will require them again and again. The subsidies have made the farmers in India dependent rather than independent. These subsidies have continuously resulted in increase in financial burden over the government. Because of which the government has failed in the process of capital formation in agricultural sector.
In the interim budget 2019-20 this interest subvention on the use of Kisan Credit Card has been extended even to animal husbandry and pisciculture. This interest subvention is of 2% and if the repayment is done on time and additional interest subvention of 3% will be given. about MSP
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