Budget 2018 focuses on farm productivity improvement & exports competitive: KPMG

Naveen Aggarwal, Partner & COO Tax, KPMG in India

Aggregating agriculture for inclusivity

It is a clear focus on improving the fundamentals to achieve the twin objectives of improving farm productivity and making exports competitive in the run up to the government’s ambition of doubling the farm income by 2022.

The Government’s commitment to farmer welfare is evident by institutionalizing mechanisms such as development of 'gramin' agricultural markets, increasing MSPs, promoting cluster based agriculture, developing last mile infrastructure and a fillip to realise the untapped export potential of the sector.

An undeterred focus on providing Direct Benefits Transfer to farmers will be a catalyst in realizing the fortune at the bottom of the pyramid.

Nilaya Varma, Partner and Head, Government and Healthcare, KPMG in India said, “The proposed ‘Govardhan Scheme’ to promote compost based on cattle dung and farm compost for agriculture will give a major boost to Swachh Bharat Mission and generate community level employment."