(a) whether the viability of agriculture has to be focused on raising productivity by stepping
up public investment, adopting cost reducing technologies, removing restrictions on agricultural
trade, marketing process within the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the efforts being made by the Government for viability of Indian agriculture?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b)&(c): A series of initiatives through various schemes have been taken by the
Government in the areas of irrigation expansion through Accelerated Irrigation Benefit
Programme, increased credit coverage by enhancing institutional credit flow with the reduced
interest rate of 7 percent, crop diversification, dryland farming, marketing infrastructure,
agricultural insurance against production loss, horticulture, extension services and storage
facilities. The process of growth is strengthened through farm mechanization, Agri-clinics and
agri-business centres.
Further, the schemes for rice, wheat and coarse cereals are under implementation to
augment their production and productivity under macro-management mode of agriculture in
which States have been given the flexibility to choose any scheme or its components according
to their specific needs. These initiatives are expected to make Indian agriculture viable and
achieve better growth performance both in cereal and non cereal crops.