MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 260 DUE FOR REPLY ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2007
(a): As per the data compiled by Central Statistical Organization (CSO), the sectoral
percentage growth rates in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant (1999-2000) prices in
Agriculture & allied sectors, Mining, manufacturing, electricity, construction and Services
during the last three years are given below:
Year Agriculture & Mining, manufacturing, Services (%) Allied Sector (%) electricity, construction (%)
2004-05 0.0 9.8 9.6
2005-06 6.0 9.6 9.8
2006-07 2.7 10.9 11.0
(b): The factors for slow growth in the agriculture sector are mainly attributed to lack of
adequate public sector investment in agriculture and periodic failures/weak monsoon in some
years of the tenth Plan. However, the average growth rate realized during the last two years has
been more than 4 per cent.
(c): The National Development Council (NDC) in its 53rd meeting held on 29th May, 2007
reaffirmed its commitment to achieve 4 per cent annual growth in the agricultural sector during
the Eleventh Plan and resolved that agricultural development strategies must be reoriented to
meet the needs of farmers and urged the Central and State Governments to evolve a strategy to
rejuvenate agriculture. Towards improving the growth in the agriculture sector, recently, the
Government has done the following:
# Launched the National Food Security Mission with an outlay of Rs.4,882 crore for the
Eleventh Plan period. It aims to produce additional 10 million tonnes of rice, 8 million
tonnes of wheat and 2 million tonnes of pulses by the end of the Eleventh Plan.
# Launched the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), with an outlay of Rs.25,000 crore
which aims at achieving 4% annual growth in the agriculture sector during the Eleventh
Plan period, through incentivising the States to invest more in the sector.
# Established National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) to assist and support in planning
for rainfed areas.
# Provided additional financial resources for irrigation.
# Strategic focus on the national agriculture research effort.
