IN RECOGNITION: Progressive farmer Syed Shaha Khusroo Hussaini being honoured by Agriculture Marketing Minister Sharanabasappa Dharshanapur on the occassion of `Farmers' Day' in Gulbarga city on Saturday.

GULBARGA: Agriculture Marketing Minister Sharanabasappa Dharshanapur on Friday said the economy of the country would not be vibrant without growth in the agriculture sector. It would be difficult for the country to compete in the global economy if it failed to address problems in the farm sector, which was the backbone of the Indian economy.

Speaking after inaugurating "Farmers' Day" celebrations and honouring 70 progressive farmers for their achievements, Mr. Dharshanapur said although it was known that 70 per cent of the population lived in rural areas with agriculture as the main vocation, successive Governments, at the Centre and State had neglected the agriculture sector. This was the main reason for the present crisis in the sector, he added.

Mr. Dharshanapur said although the Government had extended some benefits such as subsidies on fertilizer and seeds and crop loans, there was a need for scaling up these benefits to enable the farmers to get out from the present crisis.

Mr. Dharshanapur said agricultural scientists had an important role to play in increasing the income levels of farmers by introducing new varieties of crops that were resistant to pest attacks.

The Minister said the department officials should spend more time on the fields providing technical inputs to farmers rather than inside their offices with their files.

The Government would increase the outlay for agriculture in the next budget and increase compensation for farmers under the Raita Sanjeevani Scheme from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 from next year.

Krishik Samaj president Siddaramappa Dhangapur thanked Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for declaring December 23 as "Farmers' Day" and appreciated the decision to honour progressive farmers on this occasion.

Joint Director of the Agriculture Department J.M. Thippeswamy explained the salient features of the new agriculture policy. Sedam MLA Sharanaprakash Patil spoke.

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