<span style="color: #222222;">In a discussion on Akashvani’s Spotlight program, Agriculture expert Harvir Singh and Anchor Gaura Dhawan engaged in cabinet decisions taken by the Indian Government.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">Harvir Singh emphasized cabinet decisions related to the agriculture sector. Where government approves nutrient-based subsidy NBS rates for the rabi season 2023-24 on phosphoric and potassic fertilizers, applicable from the 1st of October this year till the 31st of March next year. He adds these fertilizers are in the category of decontrolled fertilizers and we call them complex fertilizers where different ratios of these nutrients are there.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">He highlights that there was a huge volatility in the international market for fertilizer prices half a year back and prices crossed $1000 per ton for DAP and urea prices also reached around $900 per ton, at that time government increased the subsidy in a big way and for the last financial year our subsidy budget was 2.25 lakh crore. This year it is around 1.75 lakh crore, so it means a huge subsidy is supposed to be given on fertilizer to keep farmers engaged in farming activity because fertilizer is a very important component for crop production.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">The government is giving a huge subsidy on fertilizer to keep the input cost low and it also fixes the minimum support price for major crops and does massive procurement of these crops so that farmers are assured that their produce will get them the right price and at the same time when government has the stocks and is in the position to control the prices to intervene in the market.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">He further talked about the second decision taken in the cabinet meeting, where Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA has given a nod to the inclusion of the Jamani Dam multi-purpose project of Uttarakhand under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna accelerated irrigation benefit program.</span><br />” <br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">The farmer from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh will get irrigation facilities and definitely, it will have a very big impact on agricultural production in that area, basically upliftment on economic front to the farmers for a better income for the farmer because canal irrigation is one of the low-cost irrigation facilities. At the same time, it is environmentally good because if you have canal irrigation you don't need to draw water from the land so it is good. Actually, it is the right time we have to move towards technology upgradation in irrigation facilities.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">Lastly, Mr. Singh elaborates on the third decision that is linked to memorandum of cooperation MoC between India and Japan on the Japan-India semiconductor supply chain partnership that has also been approved by the government.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">He said India is a huge consumer of semiconductor products and our economy is growing very fast. In the near future we are going to be the third largest economy in the world and consumption level will be very high for all goods and services this technology is being used in every aspect of life and the uses and economy so that's why semiconductor is very important. If we strengthen our supply chain of semiconductors, it is good for the country and the economy and it has the good potential to create more and more jobs within the country.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">Listen to Full discussion on&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGvwfV8HosI" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?vjGvwfV8HosI&source=gmail&ust=1698413612909000&usg=AOvVaw3_xGvqNl6nfIC_2Ozm0QRq"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGvwfV8HosI</span></a><br />