Agricultural sector facing problems, admits Pawar

Mumbai, July 1 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today admitted that agricultural sector in India was facing problems and the solution to this problem lied in conserving water.

Speaking at a ceremony after distributing awards for excellence in agriculture, instituted by Vasantrao Naik Agriculture Research and Rural Development Centre, Mr Pawar said during his visit to Vidarbha region and other parts of the country, he found that about 91 per cent of land still depends on rain water and in such a scenario efforts should be made to use water properly.

He said despite the fact that this year the farmers were given Rs 1,50,000- crore loan all over the country, 60 per cent of them still could not avail of its benefits.

Mr Pawar also stressed the need to increase the per acre yield of crops by using hybrid seeds. he admitted that most of farmers, who committed suicide, were cotton growers.

About wheat crop, he said since the Union government allowed the farmers to sell wheat in any market, they were able to get more rates.

The Public Distribution System (PDS) needs a stock 140 lakh tonnes of wheat but this time it could reach only 90 lakh tonnes as the farmers were allowed to sell their produce outside, he added.

However, Mr Pawar said he was happy that farmers got good rates for their produce.

He also said the country's agriculture faces a post-harvesting loss of Rs 55,000 crore anually. These post-harvesting losses needs to be reduced. This can be done by making more processing units available.

However, in India, only two per cent food is processed, while in other countries nearly 90 per cent of the food is processed.

Though this year the country would have to import sugar, Mr Pawar said, there will be higher yeild of sugarcane in India in the next two years and that the surplus produce will have to be exported.

The maratha strongman also said the farmers should also start allied businesses apart from depending on only one crop.

Irrigation projects and water should be allotted more finance in the budget.

Later talking to reporters, Mr Pawar while expressing satisfaction about the package, said the government had taken correct steps to tackle farmers plight. He said in the country it has been found that nearly 15 to 16 per cent of the suicides are committed by farmers.

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