The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : State to encourage agro-processing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 03, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

State to encourage agro-processing

Staff Reporter

M.V. Rajasekharan anticipates new technologies in farm sector

DRIVING HOME A POINT: M.V. Rajasekharan (centre), Union Minister of State for Planning, with Agriculture Minister Bandeppa Kashempur at a workshop on `Interface on research extension and market linkages in the service of farmers' in Bangalore on Satu rday. At left is V.V. Sadamate, Adviser (Agriculture), Planning Commission. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

Bangalore: Agriculture and allied sectors continue to be crucial in the development of a planned economy, especially in the XIth Plan, said M.V. Rajasekharan, Union Minister of State for Planning.

Mr. Rajasekharan was speaking at a workshop on "Interface on research extension and market linkages in the service of farmers," organised by the Planning Commission, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and the Department of Agriculture here on Saturday.

He said the increase in agricultural production had been achieved by creating infrastructure through public investment and by policy changes. This had affected agricultural production, marketing, processing and trade.

The present era of globalisation of trade might further usher in new technological opportunities. But for that the market and the prices had to be congenial.

A comparison of the decadal growth in area and productivity of crops indicated that the present growth was either stagnant or negative.

"This interface shall help get a feedback from farmers that would help us produce the best soil crops available," he said.

Minister for Agriculture Bandeppa Khashempur said: "Karnataka has the largest drought-prone area in the country, whereby 76 per cent of the cultivated area was rain fed.

"Besides, there was lack of marketing facilities, non-availability of storage facilities and labour in rural areas, and there existed limited financial support. The participation of farmers in extension activities was limited. To overcome such limitations, the Government would like to adopt certain strategies, such as strengthening the existing agricultural policy, ensuring active participation of farmers in the sector, encouraging agro-processing and value addition and so on to strengthen linkages for farmers, he added.

"We need to focus our attention on increasing investments in the agricultural sector, supply agricultural credits at reasonable costs and implement workable strategies in drought prone and monsoon affected areas, said Principal Secretary A. Ramaswamy. He said that Indian agriculture should move towards diversification by emphasising on horticulture, floriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, and focus on doubling the farm production in 10 years.

"The agricultural policy for Karnataka would be out by November and through it, we would like to become significant players in global agricultural trade," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section