Budget 2024: Government to Prioritize Vegetable Production and Supply Chain Enhancement

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the establishment of large-scale vegetable production clusters closer to major consumption centers in order to boost farm exports and strengthen the agri supply chain. Sitharaman announced the first budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, stating that the government's priority was to increase agricultural productivity and resilience. "Our government will undertake a comprehensive review of the agriculture research set up to focus on raising productivity and developing climate resilient varieties," according to the finance minister. She stated that the government will provide funds in challenge mode, including to the private sector. "Domain specialists from both the government and outside will oversee the research. Farmers will be able to cultivate 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops," said Sitharaman. The minister went on to say that in order to attain pulse and oilseed self-sufficiency, the government will increase production, storage, and marketing capabilities. "As announced in the interim budget, a strategy is being put in place to achieve 'atmanirbharta' for oil seeds such as mustard, groundnut,