Bihar has potential to emerge as country's foodgrain market

Patna, Apr 8 (UNI) Despite problems like catastrophic flood, poverty, naxalism and caste clashes, Bihar has potential to emerge as the country's foodgrain market.

Dr S C Jha, Chairman of Special Task Force on Bihar and Member of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, today said despite these problems Bihar has the potential to emerge as a leading grain market.

Speaking at an interactive session on modalities for preparation of district and state agriculture plan under Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana organised by the Bihar Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (BAMETI), Patna, Mr Jha said the shortage in foodgrains supply in the country and the growing demands of food products in the national and international market offers ample opportunities for Bihar to emerge as a foodgrain market.

He maintained that the task force was analysing different aspects and strategies like delivery mechanism of plan and role of institution building for the promotion of agriculture in Bihar which will also be highlighted in the report. The task force is about to submit the report to the Prime Minister, who is the ex-officio chairman of the Planning Commission.

Making a power point presentation R K Sohane, Director, BAMETI, insisted on a new central assistance scheme to give incentives to the states for drawing plans on their agriculture sector more comprehensively by taking agro-climatic conditions, natural resources and technology into account and integrating livestock, poultry and fisheries more often.

He also suggested frequent workshops for agriculture sector, sensitisation of agriculture and allied sectors for preparation of shelf-projects and extension of research activities of different departments for agrarian reforms.

Also speaking on the occasion Dr V V Sadamte, Advisor, Agriculture, Planning Commission, suggested strategies for the promotion of agriculture by shifting the paradigm of agriculture.

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