Government Urged to Address Agriculture and FMCG Sector Challenges in Budget

Summary:
The agriculture and FMCG sectors have urged the government to address challenges such as drought, climate change, and inflation through the upcoming Union Budget, scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23. Key suggestions include implementing a robust crop insurance mechanism, promoting safe food production, and investing in rural infrastructure like road networks, irrigation, and storage facilities. Industry experts also emphasize the need for climate-smart agriculture innovations, such as solar-powered irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
The FMCG sector remains optimistic for a stable market in 2024 and calls for schemes to boost rural consumption and support oilseed farmers. Enhancing agricultural exports and improving the management and financial operations of farmer producer organizations (FPOs) are also highlighted. Additionally, there is a call for increased awareness and adoption of technology in agriculture to improve processing levels, which currently lag behind developed nations. Addressing post-harvest losses through better storage solutions and improving milk production efficiency are also seen as critical areas for investment.