OPERATION GREEN SCHEME: ECONOMY
NEWS: Operation Greens falls short: Only 34% of budget spent as onion
prices plunge, potato shortages persist
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The Operation Greens scheme, aimed at
stabilizing crop prices and benefiting farmers, has utilized only 34% of its
budget for 2024-25, while facing challenges like onion price crashes and potato
shortages. Despite expansion, the scheme struggles with delayed projects and
unmet objectives.
Objectives of the Scheme
- Price
Stabilization: To
stabilize the prices of perishable crops by creating farm gate
infrastructure.
- Reducing
Post-Harvest Losses:
To set up storage facilities for farmers to store crops until they get
better prices.
- Increasing
Farmers' Earnings:
To increase farmers' share in the retail price and provide them better
earnings.
Expansion of the Scheme
In 2021-22, the scheme was expanded to cover 22
perishable crops beyond the original focus on tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.
Current Performance
- Budget
Utilization:
Only 34% of the allocated budget (Rs 173.40 crore) has been spent as of
October 2024.
- Delayed
Projects: Of
the 10 projects planned for the financial year, only three have been
completed.
- Struggling
with Expenditure: The
unspent funds raise concerns over the scheme's effectiveness and its
ability to meet expenditure targets.
Issues Faced
- Onion
Price Crisis:
Onion farmers in Maharashtra face a sharp price fall, worsened by the
government's export restrictions and changing policies.
- Potato
Shortage:
Shortages in Odisha and Jharkhand due to restrictions on potato supply
from West Bengal, caused by unseasonal rains and frost.
- Challenges
in Achieving Dual Mandate: The scheme struggles to balance fair prices for farmers while
maintaining affordable prices for consumers.
Conclusion
While the Operation Greens scheme aims to benefit farmers
and stabilize crop prices, its underperformance, incomplete projects, and
ongoing agricultural crises highlight the challenges it faces in fulfilling its
objectives.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/operation-greens-falls-short-only-34-of-budget-spent-as-onion-prices-plunge-potato-shortages-persis