Condition of agriculture in country pathetic: Prof Chopra

Bhopal, Nov 23 (UNI) Expressing concern over depleting groundwater level and loss of soil fertility, Planning Commission (Agriculture) member V L Chopra today said the condition of agriculture in the country would be really worrisome in future.

''It's unfortunate that no concrete initiative has been taken to tackle this problem,'' Professor Chopra, who was here to take part in the Indian Science Conference that got underway here today, told reporters.

He said state governments were also responsible for the situation as agriculture was a state subject. Agriculture was becoming an unprofitable profession due to depletion of nutrients in soil and in the absence of water recharging.

Lamenting that nothing concrete had happened except debates over the matter, Prof Chopra said agriculture could not be promoted as a set formula like industrial policy. The state governments needed to come forward and chalk out special schemes for dealing with the problem.

On fast depleting foodgrain stock in the country, he said it was necessary to keep buffer stock in view of declining production and accountability of public distribution system.

On whether it could be argued in future that importing foodgrain was better than producing it in view of pathetic condition of agriculture, he said it could be a matter of debate. He, however, added, that foodgrains would be sold to a country like India at astronomical price in the international market.

UNI