YSR urges PM to support 'Jalayagnam'

Hyderabad, July 31 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend Central assistance to complete all pending and new irrigation project works taken up under 'Jalayagnam' programme in the state.

Speaking at a review meeting on the state's agricultural scenario, presided over by the Prime Minister here, Dr Reddy said, ''We have embarked on an ambitious Jalayagnam programme, aiming at expansion, stabilisation and intensification of the irrigation system to enhance the country's food security.

''We need your support to complete all irrigation projects which are under construction,'' he said, adding the government's initiative would also be to increase the income level of farmers, besides increasing the food production in quantitative terms.

Stating that the extension network was being neglected resulting in poor agronomical practices leading to wide yield gaps even in advanced districts, Dr Reddy said the government was giving a major thrust to horticulture, livestock and fisheries to increase productivity.

Observing that the NDC resolution has targeted four per cent average annual growth rate in agriculture in the 11th plan, besides launching National Food Security Mission with a target of achieving 20 million tonnes of foodgrains in the next four years, he said, ''the situation in India demands that we should also seriously look at the option of using our agricultural produce for bio-fuels.'' UNI