ALAPPUZHA: Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, pointing out that the State's income from agriculture was a mere 13 per cent even when 40 per cent of its citizens lived on agricultural income, has called for coordination between various departments related to agriculture.

Inaugurating the Sri Narayana Haritha Geetham programme of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam at Cherthala Sree Narayana College here on Monday, Mr. Isaac said the difference between the State's income from agriculture and those living on agricultural income was increasing all the while. A concerted effort to have coordination between the departments concerned was also necessary to improve the situation.

He said even the difference in per capita consumption by the population's lowest 25 per cent quarter and the highest 25 per cent quarter was increasing. The per capita consumption by the highest quarter was 1.5 times than that of the lowest quarter in 1999-2000. This had grown to 2.2 times by 2004-2005, which was a drastic difference and could lead to social tensions, he said.

Pointing out that information technology, biotechnology, BPOs and tourism were necessary for development, the Minister said that agriculture, however, should not be ignored. A new organisational set up or united efforts in other words, with people going for cultivation in clusters and as groups, was required for the farming sector in the State.

Commending the SNDP Yogam for keeping up its tradition of programmes that aim at social development apart from social reform, Mr. Isaac said more social organisations should come forward with similar initiatives.

Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan said Haritha Geetham, envisaged encouragement of farmers and those interested in agriculture by providing them with support in the form of loans, farming lands, insurance and marketing facilities of agro-products.

The project would also promote animal husbandry and vermi-composting, he added.

The function also had a two-day agriculture exhibition and a seminar. Yogam acting president M.B. Sreekumar, K.S. Manoj, MP, and others were present.

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