Schemes worth Rs 5000 cr launched for promoting agriculture in Bihar

Patna, Mar 6 (UNI) Amid noisy walkout by the entire opposition, the Bihar government today announced to launch special schemes worth Rs 5000 crore for promoting agriculture in the state during the next fiscal.

Replying to the debate on budgetary demands of agriculture, fisheries and co-operative departments for the 2008-09 financial year in the Assembly, agriculture minister Narendra Singh said the Bihar government would launch special schemes worth Rs 5000 crores to tap the vast agriculture potential of the state.

'' The road map and other details of the ambitious schemes aimed at increasing the agriculture production and improving the condition of the farmers were being given final touches'', he informed.

Under the proposed schemes, special emphasis would be given on providing the farmers with latest technology and augmenting the pulse and rice production in the state, he said adding that one training centre at the cost of Rs 30 lakh would be set up at each block to impart knowkdge to the farmers on latest techniques of the agriculture.

Mr Singh alleged that the Centre has been insensitive towards improving the condition of farmers in the state and nothing tangible had been done in the budget presented by the UPA government for promoting the agriculture sector in the state.

''The budget proposal to waive off the debt of marginal farmers across the country would be of not much help to Bihar as nationalised banks have very poor track record in providing loans to the farmers of the state'', he pointed out.

Earlier, dissatisfied with the reply of the state government, the entire opposition, including RJD and Congress, staged noisy walkout from the Lower House.

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