DIVERSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTION
Punjab,
Haryana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have sought financial assistance
for diversification of agricultural production. Punjab has submitted
two proposals. Under one scheme, it has sought financial assistance
of Rs.1280 crore for shifting one million hectares of land from
the rice-wheat system to oilseeds, pulses, etc. In the other proposal,
it has sought an assistance of Rs.773.61 crore including 25% margin
money to promote contract farming for diversification under the
Crop Adjustment Programme. The Government of Haryana has submitted
a proposal for crop diversification under which an amount of Rs.960
crore has been sought as a compensation package for three years.
The Government
of Maharashtra has submitted a concept paper on Agricultural Intensification
and Diversification Project for an amount of Rs.1792.50 crore
for seeking external assistance. The project has been designed
for a period of five years to treat an area of 2.5 million hectares.
The
Uttar Pradesh Government has sought financial assistance for diversification
of agriculture under the Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agriculture
Support Project which was implemented during the 9th
Plan with the support of the World Bank. The State Government
has sought extension for its second phase implementation during
the tenth Plan. The State Government has also submitted a proposal
for crop diversification for an amount of Rs.145.58 crore for
the period 2004-05 to 2008-09.
Agricultural
diversification, especially from cereals to high value crops,
has been emphasized by the Planning Commission in the tenth Plan
document. The Centre is supporting diversification initiatives
of State Governments.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture,
Shri Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav in a written reply to a question by
Shri Rajo Singh in the Lok Sabha today.
