Shekhawat concerned over low agricultural growth

Chandigarh, Dec 1 (UNI) Expressing his concern over low agricultural growth, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today called for a new agenda to rejuvenate agriculture with an integrated and holistic approach.

''During recent years, agricultural growth has decelerated and is around two per cent as against the growth target of four per cent.

This indeed is a matter of great concern,'' he said while inaugurating the Agro Tech fair organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here.

He said there was an imperative need for planning, development and implementation of a new agenda for rejuvenating agriculture.

''We need an integrated and holistic approach for agriculture and allied activities. We need to leverage traditional skills with suitable and appropriate application of new technologies.'' Under the new agenda to renew agriculture, he said developing new technologies and taking advantage of biotechnology and information technology was of prime importance.

''Biotechnology holds the key in raising farm productivity.

Similarly, Information Technology has the potential to provide need-based and locale-based information to farmers in areas such as agricultural product management, processing, marketing and natural wealth management,'' he said.

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