STATES ASKED TO PREPARE ACTION
PLAN TO DOUBLE THE FOOD PRODUCTION
RABI
CAMPAIGN 2003-04 BEGINS
Agriculture Secretary,
Shri R.C.A Jain asked all the states to prepare an action plan
to double up the food production by 2012 to implement the Prime
Minister’s Independence Day announcement . He was opening the
National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2003-04,
here today. Shri Jain said that the conference would also focus
on the various initiatives by the Ministry in the areas of market
reforms, use of mass media for agriculture extension Farm Income
Protection Programme and Land Policy Reforms concepts.
Shri Jain emphasized
that the Farm Income Insurance Programme has been prepared after
brain storming session with states. He promised that the programme
would be a powerful medium aimed at reaching the benefits of Minimum
Support Price (MSP) to all farmers and would radically change
the agriculture in the country. He said that the Indian farmer
must have advantage of choosing best of various insurance packages
available in this sector.
The Secretary called
upon the conference to ensure that the small and marginal farmer
is brought in the process of agriculture development in the country
and to reach them the fruits of reforms and new initiatives. He
also emphasized the new initiatives likes contract farming, land
leasing and land share companies would ensure that the largest
share in the final price of agriculture produce reaches the producer.
Shri Jain asked the
States who experienced the worst drought of 2002 to prepare the
documentation of drought management efforts in their respective
states. He expected a good harvest in this year as the country
has received a very good monsoon. The good monsoon and particularly
September rains would also help in getting a good Rabi harvest.
Dr. Mangala Rai,
DG, ICAR, said synergies are to be brought in various agriculture-based
activities. He discussed the issues on transforming Indian agriculture.
Various sectors of agriculture will be integrated for sustainability,
Dr. Mangla Rai added. Judicious use of vast available natural
and human resources are the immediate need for the development
of agriculture, he said.
The two-day conference
would discuss Kharif scenario and preparedness for Rabi for the
current year. Senior officials from the Ministry and state agriculture
departments are attending, the conference.
