shown that the poverty is concentrated and food deprivation is acute in predominantly rural areas with limited resources such as rain-fed agricultural areas The report recommends: Implement a universal public distribution system. The NCF pointed out that the total • subsidy required for this would be one per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. Reorganise the delivery of nutrition support programmes on a life-cycle basis with the • participation of Panchayats and local bodies. Eliminate micronutrient deficiency induced hidden hunger through an integrated food cum • fortification approach. Promote the establishment of Community Food and Water Banks operated by Women • Groups (SHG), based on the principle Grain and Water everywhere’. ‘Store Help small and marginal farmers to improve the productivity, quality and profitability of • farm enterprises and organize a Rural Non-Farm Livelihood Initiative. Formulate a National Food Guarantee Act continuing the useful features of the Food for • Work and Employment Guarantee programmes. By increasing demand for food grains as a result of increased consumption by the poor, the economic conditions essential for further agricultural progress can be created. Prevention of Farmers’ Suicides In the last few years, a large number of farmers have committed suicide. Cases of suicides have been reported from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The NCF has underlined the need to address the farmer suicide problem on a priority basis. Some of measures suggested include: Provide affordable health insurance and revitalize primary healthcare centres. The National • Health Mission should be extended to suicide hotspot locations on priority basis. Set up State Level Farmers’ Commission with representation of farmers for ensuring • dynamic government response to farmers’ problems. Restructure microfinance policies to as Livelihood Finance, i.e. credit coupled with • support services in the areas of technology, management and markets. Cover all crops by crop insurance with the village and not block as the unit for assessment. • Provide for a Social Security net with provision for old age support and health insurance. • Promote aquifer recharge and rain water conservation. Decentralise water use planning and • every village should aim at Jal Swaraj with Gram Sabhas serving as Pani Panchayats. Ensure availability of quality seed and inputs at affordable costs and at the right time • and place.
shown that the poverty is concentrated and food deprivation is acute in predominantly rural areas with limited resources such as rain-fed agricultural areas The report recommends: • Implement a universal public distribution system. The NCF pointed out that the total subsidy required for this would be one per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. • Reorganise the delivery of nutrition support programmes on a life-cycle basis with the participation of Panchayats and local bodies. • Eliminate micronutrient deficiency induced hidden hunger through an integrated food cum fortification approach. • Promote the establishment of Community Food and Water Banks operated by Women Groups (SHG), based on the principle ‘Store Grain and Water everywhere’. • Help small and marginal farmers to improve the productivity, quality and profitability of farm enterprises and organize a Rural Non-Farm Livelihood Initiative. • Formulate a National Food Guarantee Act continuing the useful features of the Food for Work and Employment Guarantee programmes. By increasing demand for food grains as a result of increased consumption by the poor, the economic conditions essential for further agricultural progress can be created. Prevention of Farmers’ Suicides In the last few years, a large number of farmers have committed suicide. Cases of suicides have been reported from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The NCF has underlined the need to address the farmer suicide problem on a priority basis. Some of measures suggested include: • Provide affordable health insurance and revitalize primary healthcare centres. The National Health Mission should be extended to suicide hotspot locations on priority basis. • Set up State Level Farmers’ Commission with representation of farmers for ensuring dynamic government response to farmers’ problems. • Restructure microfinance policies to as Livelihood Finance, i.e. credit coupled with support services in the areas of technology, management and markets. • Cover all crops by crop insurance with the village and not block as the unit for assessment. • Provide for a Social Security net with provision for old age support and health insurance. • Promote aquifer recharge and rain water conservation. Decentralise water use planning and every village should aim at Jal Swaraj with Gram Sabhas serving as Pani Panchayats. • Ensure availability of quality seed and inputs at affordable costs and at the right time and place.
Rural%20Banking%20-UpdatesJune17.docx