(a) whether the Government has reviewed the status of developmental activities in rural areas to work out appropriate strategy for accelerating growth in agriculture and
related non-crop sector through a comprehensive policy measures/package;
(b) if so, the details of trends revealed therein; and
(c) the details of the new agricultural initiatives for thrust areas particularly for non-green/dry land farming?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) to (c): Yes, sir. Government has worked out a strategy for accelerating growth in
agriculture and allied sector. Keeping in view the challenges faced by the agriculture in
India, the National Agriculture Policy was formulated in 2000 to foster a sustainable growth
with equity, catering to domestic markets as well as maximizing benefits from exports
of agricultural products in view of the economic liberalization and globalization.
The government have taken a number of initiatives to improve the agriculture sector
and thereby the condition of the farmers in general. These, inter-alia, include the
announcement of credit policy in April, 2004, which envisaged doubling of the credit to
the agriculture sector by 2007. Further, from Kharif 2006-07, farmers are being provided
crop loan up to Rs.3 lakh at 7% rate of interest. The Government has worked out
and announced a package for revival of cooperative credit structure. A major effort
has been initiated for diversification of agriculture. National Horticulture Mission has
been put in place for ensuring end-to-end approach with backward and forward linkages,
covering research, post harvest management, processing and marketing. A special programme
for horticulture development is also implemented in north-eastern states. Other initiatives
taken by Government include expanding the area under irrigation, improved water management
with watershed development and rain water harvesting, establishment of National Rained Area
Authority and National Fisheries Development Board.