Out of this an amount of Rs.16,627 crore has been released (up to 31.1.2014) under various schemes being implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation to the State Governments and implementing agencies as per their requirement and past performance for development of agriculture.
Government provides financial assistance to the State Governments to boost agriculture under various schemes being implemented for increasing production and productivity in agriculture & allied sector. Government has also enhanced plan outlay of agriculture to Rs.1,34,746 crore for XII Five Year Plan from Rs.61,528 crore in XI Five Year Plan.
Important schemes/programmes under implementation at present are Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana; National Food Secutiry Mission; National Horticulture Mission; Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States; National Mission on Micro Irrigation; Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm & Maize; Support to State Extension Programmes of Extension Reforms etc.
Other measures taken by the Government for the benefit of farmers and for development of agriculture sector include enhancement of minimum support prices of agricultural commodities, increase in credit flow to agriculture sector, debt waiver/relief, interest subvention on crop loans, extension activities, etc.
Government on its part, is supplementing the efforts of States by extending necessary financial assistance and technical inputs through its various programmes. The combined efforts of Government of India and States have been successful in achieving 3.64% annual growth rate during XI plan period. This is against 2.5% and 2.4% growth rate during IX and X plan periods, respectively.
Agriculture is a State subject. Therefore, it is primarily the responsibility of States to take necessary steps for development of agriculture in their respective areas. States are taking keen interest as agriculture is the backbone of State’s economy and a sizeable section of society is engaged in agriculture, directly or indirectly, for livelihood. Also, share of agriculture and allied sector has been on the rise in the budgets of states during recent years.
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions.
