4 per cent agri-growth potential to be harnessed in full

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) Kharif Campaign-2007 started today with a call to harness growth potential in all possible areas to ensure 4 per cent per year growth in the agriculture sector.

Opening the two-day conference for Kharif Campaign, in which Central and State officials and experts will chalk out a strategy for the coming kharif season and beyond, Agriculture Secretary Dr P K Mishra asked the States to prepare Action Plans targeting specific issues and start implementing them quickly.

The Ministry has identified areas needing special focus include food security, production of pulses and oilseeds, ensuring availability of quality seeds, revamping extension system and development of horticulture.

Focus will also be on improving productivity of rainfed areas, as these constitute over 60 per cent of the total farm area in the country, he said.

Dr Mishra informed that State-wise, region-wise and agro climatic zone-wise detailed studies show that 4.1 per cent per year growth is achievable during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

This year's budget has enhanced the outlays for agriculture, irrigation, development of land resources, and production of quality seeds, he added.

Fertilizer Secretary Dr J S Sarma informed that stocks of 20 lakh tonnes of urea, 11 lakh tonnes of DAP and 14 lakh tonnes MoP are available for the kharif season which, supplemented by indigenous production, will be sufficient to meet the requirement of the kharif season.

Dr Sarma asked the States to prepare district and month wise plans and follow them rigorously so that no localised shortages occur in any part of the country. The Centre will ensure that 75 per cent of the requirement for any month will be available at the beginning of the month and the rest 25 per cent by 15th of the month. Besides, buffer stock are being maintained in different States and movement and availability of fertilizer up to district level are being monitored very closely through on-line Fertilizer Management System, Dr Sarma added.

Secretary, Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries, Ms.

Charusheela Sohoni asked the States to pay attention to fodder production. This, she said, is especially important because the livestock sector constitutes 27 per cent to the agricultural income, provides subsidiary income to farmers and has potential to grow at a fast rate.

UNI