(a) whether the farm sector has been experiencing severe crisis in the country for the past
few years;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has drawn any road map/chalked out any plan to bring the farm
sector out of the crisis; and
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the allocations being made for this sector
during the coming 11th Five Year Plan?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)&(b): Agriculture sector in the country is going through a difficult phase mainly due to
deceleration in agricultural growth from 3.2% per annum for the period 1980 to 1996-97 to a
growth rate of around 2% per annum subsequently. Other challenges faced by the sector include
stagnant productivity of crops, deteriorating profitability and lack of adequate infrastructure
facilities.
(c)&(d): The Government has already taken a number of initiatives like announcing
Agriculture Credit Policy to increase flow of credit to the sector, Kisan credit card scheme,
revamping of cooperative credit structure, reforming agriculture market and setting up of
National Horticulture Mission and National Rainfed Authority etc. The agricultural growth is
proposed to be improved to about 4% during the 11th Plan period through different measures and
initiatives.
Allocations for agriculture sector for 11th Five Year Plan has not yet been finalized.