Estimated growth of Agri sector 4.1% next financial yr: Radha Mohan

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister for griculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh on February 16 said that despite difficult challenges faced by it its working period of 87 years, ICAR has attained many achievements and these achievements are the milestones of progress of agriculture. Increase in production and income, development of institutes, human resources, development of new techniques, agriculture diversification are the areas in which ICAR has set new standards of success. Singh said this at the 88^th AGM of ICAR Society,New Delhi, on February 16.

Secretary, the Department of Agricultural Research and Education & DG, ICAR,  Trilochan Mohapatra and distinguished members of Society and senior officers of ICAR were also present on the occasion.

Singh said that the government is committed to double the income of farmers in five years. In this budget, holistic development of agriculture is the main focus including providing credit to farmers on affordable rates, assured supply of seeds and fertilisers, increase in irrigation facilities, increase in productivity through soil health cards, through E-nam assured market and providing profitable price, according to a PIB release. He said in the budget of year 2017-18, the fund for rural, agriculture and allied sectors has been increased by 24% and it is now Rs 1,87,223 crore. In the next financial year, it is estimated that the progress rate of agriculture sector will be 4.1%.

Singh said that because of a good monsoon and policy initiatives by the government, there is a record production of foodgrains this year. As per the second advance estimate for the year 2016-17, there would be a total of 271.98 million tonnes production of foodgrains. In the International Pulse Year 2016, 150 seed herbs of pulses have been established, he said. Early maturing variety of moong “IPM 205-7(VIRAT)” has been released. Singh said that since agriculture is state subject, so State Agriculture Ministers have an important role in its progress.