Highest food grains production since independence this year: Pawar

Pune, Nov 24 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said this is the first year since independence, when the country is witnessing the highest food grain production.

Mr Pawar was speaking on the occasion of conferring of D'Liit on him and renowned literati Professor Ram Shewalkar by the Tilak Maharashtra Univeristy here, this year.

Inspite of the good production, we need to work towards the second green revolution for the growing food demand in the country, the Union Minister observed, adding that the ministry is taking efforts in this area.

There is a need to increase irrigation facility in the country and for provision of minimum support price for agricultural produce.

The ministry of agriculture was studying new schemes and the state governments should also come forward to play their part, he said.

Mr Pawar also said India would host the 2011 Cricket World Cup and Pune will host one of the matches.

Union Minister of Power Sushil Kumar Shinde, who was present on the occasion, called Mr Pawar as his mentor and urged him not to retire from politics.

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