Sub-committee of NDC discuss agriculture-related issues

Hyderabad, Feb 2 (UNI) The working group of the sub-committee of National Development Council on agriculture and related issues today discussed availability of institutional credit, measures for increasing area and productivity in animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.

The sub-committee, which met here today, under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy would help facilitate declaration of national policies on livestock and fisheries development.

The Chief Minister, who went through various aspects of the interim report and view of the committee, said the growth of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries should be almost four times the present level.

Dr Reddy said the agricultural and allied sector growth in the country was as low as 1.72 per cent as compared to overall growth of over nine per cent. Out of this the contribution of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries was more than that of agriculture, he added.

He said it was difficult to boost agricultural growth to the desired level of more than four per cent, while it was easier to increase the growth of allied sectors.

The Chief Minister said the growth of livestock should be intensified and embankments in all the fish ponds should be used for fodder cultivation.

He said the institutional credit should not be less than Rs one lakh crore with interest subsidy from the government. Poultry should be given a status on the lines of agriculture or indirect agriculture.

''We should also use market mechanism to boost production, sustainability and growth of these sectors. We should also see the possibility of venture capital funding to help these sectors.'' He said the committee would again meet before finalisation of the recommendations.

UNI