(a) whether it is a fact that Planning Commission has expressed their concern about less investment by Government in Agro Sector;
(b) if so, the reasons therefore; and
(c) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this year?
(a) whether it is a fact that Planning Commission has expressed their concern about less investment by Government in Agro Sector;
(b) if so, the reasons therefore; and
(c) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this year?
THE MINISTER OF AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES ( SHRI KARIYA MUNDA )
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Planning Commission has expressed concern in Mid-Term Appraisal of the Ninth Five Year Plan about the decline in Gross Capital Formation in Agriculture (GCFA) as a percentage of total Domestic Gross Capital Formation (DGCF) which has come down to 9.4% in 1996-97 from 19.1% 1979-80 at 1980-81 prices. At 1993-94, prices GCFA has come down from 6.3% in 1996-97 to 5.5% in 1998-99. The GCFA in public sector has registered a decline from Rs. 4668.00 crore in 1996-97 to Rs. 3845.00 crore in 1998-99.
(c): The strategy adopted by the Government for increasing Capital Formation in Agriculture Sector is to increase investment in the development of infrastructure through launching schemes like Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, National Watershed Development Project and other similar programmes.