Planning Commission focuses on enhancing agricultural yield

Mysore, July 31 (UNI) The Planning Commission is preparing a document to improve agricultural production in the country over the next five years as the yield has not been up to the mark in the last six to seven years, its Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said today.

Speaking to reporters at Suttur in Mysore district, he said the document, to focus on various aspects, including usage of fertilisers, was expected to be finalised in a month's time.

Mr Ahluwalia pointed out that eminent agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan had suggested that soil testing parks were necessary in the country, besides recommending various measures to the Commission to improve the yield and it would be incorporated in the document.

Asked why agriculture production had not reached the expected levels, he said there were many reasons, including usage of water and fertilisers, and water table going down in the country. To improve the production, the Union Government had chalked out a programme 'Bharat Nirmaan' to focus on agriculture sector.

Referring to the link between information technology and agriculture sector, he said though there had been tremendous support from the corporates, further encouragement was necessary for rural development.

Mr Ahluwalia was here to take part in the silver jubilee celebrations of IT major Infosys and study the working conditions of the JSS agricultural scientific centre at Suttur village.

Inaugurating the farmers' hostel, built at a cost of Rs 28 lakh near Suttur, he said there was tremendous scope to increase agricultural production in rural areas using updated knowledge. The Union and State Governments were ready to provide necessary help in this regard.

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