Second green revolution could start from J

Srinagar, Nov 25 (UNI) Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari today said the Centre's proposed push to agriculture through a second green revolution could start from Jammu and Kashmir on pilot basis.

Addressing the fourth convocation of the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) here, he stressed the need for refocus of efforts on the agriculture sector.

Mr Ansari said the low growth in agriculture has adverse impact on the inclusiveness of growth. The role of the agriculture sector has a wide relevance in the present times when globalisation is a fact of life, he added.

The Vice-President said the current share of agriculture in the GDP was around 18.5 per cent that of services 55 per cent and the industry 26 per cent.

The growth rate in agriculture has been mere 2.7 per cent in the last fiscal despite the fact that more than half of the country's population directly depends on this sector, he added.

Mr Ansari suggested that the Government of India's proposed push to the agriculture sector through a second green revolution could start from Jammu and Kashmir on the pilot basis.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir's economy, he said the agriculture sector comprising horticulture, forests, sericulture, fisheries and animal husbandry was pivotal to the economy of the state.

''It contributes more than 50 per cent to the net domestic product of Jammu and Kashmir and is the main source of livelihood for around 80 per cent of the population,'' the Vice President said.

He stressed the need for enhancing productivity and ensuring value addition to the socio-economic development of the state.

Mr Ansari referred to the adverse situation in Jammu and Kashmir during the past two decades and said the path back to normalcy and eventual prosperity goes through the down to earth and gross root sector of agriculture.

''It is agriculture that has the potential not only to revitalise the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, but also bring about greater social inclusion and sustainable rehabilitation,'' he added.

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