Policy for agriculture renewal must by 2007: Swaminathan

New Delhi, Apr 14 (UNI) National Commission on Farmers Chairman M S Swaminathan today said he had urged the Government to formulate a National Policy for agricultural renewal by 2006-07 that would be pro-farmers, pro-women and pro-employment.

The next year should be designated as the year of 'agricultural renewal', ensuring livelihood security for the farmers, Dr Swaminathan said, while inaugurating the Round-table on 'Agri Business and Small Farmers' here today.

Dr Swaminathan stressed on the need to give an income orientation to agriculture and expressed his desire to measure development and growth not in terms of productivity but the rate of growth of real income of the farmers.

An integrated package of measures should be introduced in every part of the country to increase farm productivity and profitability in perpetuity without associated ecological harm.

Agricultural renewal, Dr Swaminathan said, should have four major components--soil health enhancement, irrigation-water supply, augmentation and demand management, credit and insurance enhancement, and eradication of technology fatigue and technology gap.

He pointed out the need for conservation of natural resources, cultivation, consumption and commerce.

There is a need for public-private partnership and involvement of civil societies organisation to reinstate pride in Indian agriculture, Dr Swaminathan added.

The event was organised by PHDCCI in partnership with International Development Enterprises India (IDEI).

UNI JSS PV PM1659