Can it Deliver on Inclusive Growth, Women’s Power, and Farmer Riches? Budget 2024: Can It Be the Key to Inclusive Growth, Women’s Empowerment, and Farmer Prosperity?
The upcoming budget holds promising prospects for inclusive growth, with a focus on empowering women and boosting the incomes of small and marginal farmers. The previous year’s budget laid the groundwork for the economic empowerment of women, particularly through self-sustainable enterprises. The government envisions transforming the vast network of over 8 crore women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into thriving producer organizations and economically sustainable ventures.
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To realize this vision, the budget is expected to allocate resources for the evolution of “Lakhpati Mahila’s” from these SHG networks, enabling them to engage in various business activities.
In parallel, the budget aims to fertilize incomes for the 14 crore small and marginal farmers, who constitute the majority of the farming community. Aggregating farmers into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with robust fiscal support is seen as a more sustainable approach to doubling farmers’ income, compared to merely increasing Minimum Support Prices (MSPs). The scale economies and enhanced bargaining power achieved through FPOs contribute to increased farm incomes.
E-commerce platforms and mobile marketplaces play a pivotal role in establishing direct connections between farmers and buyers, thereby broadening market opportunities. However, the actualization of these advantages relies heavily on providing digital literacy training to women engaged in agriculture. This training should cover fundamental computer skills, internet usage, and the proficient utilization of mobile applications tailored for agricultural purposes. Equipping women farmers with the skills to navigate these applications effectively, providing real-time information on weather conditions, crop management, and market prices, can empower them to make informed and strategic decisions in their agricultural pursuits.
