Agri Budget 2021-22 Latest News

Rs 2,700Cr for PSF to create buffer stock of onions and pulses

budget 2021 onion buffer stock

The Budget 2021 has allotted ₹ 2,700 crore to the price stabilisation fund (PSF) for 2021-22, which shall be used to create a buffer stock of onions and pulses to examine price volatility in these commodities.

This is 35% greater than the allocation of ₹ 2,000 crore within the last year budget. However, 77% lower than the actual expenditure of ₹ 11,800 crore in 2020-21. The PSF will also be utilized to fund the states that want to create their very own PSFs.

“In 2020-21, the expenditure went up astronomically because of the free distribution of pulses grains for 200 million poor families under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme during Covid-19 pandemic. Apart from this, the govt has created a buffer stock of 99,000 tonnes of onions,” mentioned a senior consumer affairs ministry official. “In the next fiscal year, the Budget allocation is reduced from actual expenditure but increased by 35% from previous year budget allocation.”

Also Read: India’s Agri Credit Target elevated to ₹ 16.5 lakh crore in the budget 2021

The officials mentioned the Central government is planning to obtain 50% extra onions subsequent year to tide over the time when there’s short supply of onions.

‘We will start procuring onions from March-April for the buffer stocks. Onions lots produced in the winter are better suited for the storage. In 2020-21, 25,000 tonnes of onions in buffer stock got spoiled due to moisture loss,’ the official mentioned.

Also Read: Union Budget 2021 Highlights – Agri and allied sector

He mentioned that the Union government additionally created buffer inventory of 2 million tonnes of pulses, which have been distributed to control costs. It was additionally used for free distribution throughout the pandemic.

Reading Links:
PSC relaxation on importing Onion extended until January 31, 2021
Rabi sowing of cereals, pulses and oilseeds increased 4.7% to 539 lha
SC questions Govt on “insistence” of adoption of farm laws and intends to stay

Knowledge Share

Agri Academy

Agri Mock test, MCQ Agri-Economics, for UPSC/UGC NET/ASRB NET/NABARD/SRF/JRF/KSET/SO/ Competitive Exams