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Prepare plan to double food production, States told

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 30 . The Centre has urged the States to prepare an Action Plan to double food production by 2012 as announced by the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the Independence Day. Food production last year was 182.6 million tonnes and is expected to touch 212 million tonnes this year.

Addressing the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2003-04 here on Monday, the Agriculture Secretary, R.C.A. Jain, said the conference would focus on the various initiatives taken by the Government in market reforms, use of mass media for agriculture extension, Farm Income Protection Programme and Land Policy Reforms concepts.

Mr. Jain said that the Farm Income Insurance Programme that had been prepared after a brainstorming session with States would be a powerful medium aimed at reaching the benefits of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to all farmers. It would radically change the agriculture sector in the country. The Indian farmer must have the advantage of choosing the best of various insurance packages available in this sector, he said.

The Secretary urged the conference to ensure that the small and marginal farmer was brought into the agriculture development process and the fruits of reforms and new initiatives reached him. He said the new initiatives such as contract farming, land leasing and land share companies should ensure that the largest share in the final price of agriculture produce reached the producer.

Mr. Jain asked the States that had experienced the worst drought in 2002 to document drought management efforts taken in their States. He expected a good harvest this year as the country had a very good monsoon. The good monsoon and particularly rain in September would help in getting a good rabi harvest.

The two-day conference would discuss the kharif scenario and preparedness for rabi for the current year. Senior officials from the Ministry and State agriculture departments are attending the conference.

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