THERE WILL BE NO PAUCITY OF RESOURCES FORACHIEVING 4% FARM GROWTH: SHRI PAWAR

Constraint of resources will not be allowed to stand in the way of the aim of achieving 4% growth in agriculture and necessary funds will be provided to States for all their agricultural schemes.

This was stated by Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar here today. He was addressing the National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign.

The target for agricultural growth in the Plan has been fixed at 4% per annum. To achieve this target, action on several areas will be required-bringing technology to farmers, improving efficiency of investments, increasing systems support and rationalizing subsidies, diversifying and at the same time protecting food security concerns and fostering inclusiveness through a group approach by which the poor will get better access to land, credit and skills, Shri Pawar said.

Shri Pawar applauded the farming community and the State Governments for achieving record production of rice, maize, soyabean, sugarcane and cotton in 2007-08. He informed that as per the second advance estimates, the production of food grains in 2007-08 is estimated at a record level of 219.32 million tonnes which is higher than the 217.28 million tonnes for 2006-07. The production of rice is estimated at 94.08 million tonnes compared to 93.35 million tonnes during the previous year. The production of coarse cereals is estimated at 36.09 million tonnes which is higher than the 33.92 million tonnes produced in the previous year. Cotton production at 233.81 lakh bales during 2007-08 is a record.

The Minister asked State Governments to work out a Plan of Action for implementation of the National Policy for Farmers, keeping in view the grassroot level requirements. He also exhorted States to intensively monitor NFSM and RKVY.

On ways to maximize Kharif output, the Minister said that States should popularize hybrid rice technology through demonstrations and availability of quality seeds. For cotton, increasing availability of treated quality seeds with emphasis on de-linted seeds is required. Efficient use of irrigation water through drip and sprinklers should be encouraged. In horticulture, emphasis should be on superior quality planting material.

Earlier, the Minister launched e-pest surveillance device, a hand-held gadget for capturing data on pests and sending it to centralized database. He also released a book, Glimpses of Indian Agriculture, edited by Dr. S. M. Jharwal and Shri R. S. Deshpande.

[Three releases have been issued today by PIB on the Kharif conference including one on the inaugural session and a backgrounder on e-pest surveillance device.]