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Montek Ahluwalia wants subsidies diverted to agricultural and rural infrastructure | Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission of India Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Thursday emphasised that electricity and fertilizer subsidies should be diverted to agricultural and rural infrastructure to raise
public investment in agriculture and strengthen its foundations. Dr. Ahluwalia
inaugurated the three-day 69th Annual Conference of Indian Society of Agricultural
Economics (ISAE) being organised by Punjab School of Economics of the Guru Nanak
Dev University here. On this occasion, Ahluwalia highlighted the need for improvement
in land quality, input management, improving access to water, watershed management,
improved road connectivity and extension system in agriculture. He also brought
out the role of structural changes in seed industry and growth of biotechnology
and optimisation of crop-mixes to encourage scientifically feasible farming in
the country, which can more than double the agricultural output. He said that
four percent growth rate of agriculture, as envisaged in the 11th Five Year Plan
is achievable even when the country witnessed a drought this year. Dr. Ahluwalia
further stated that leasing out of land through appropriate legislation as many
small and marginal farmers may wish to quit agriculture for better opportunities
outside. He appreciated Indian Society of Agricultural Economics for undertaking
research activities in agriculture and highlighting the problems and required
priorities of agriculture. The conference is being attended by renowned agricultural
economists and policy makers 300 delegates from different parts of the country
including from agricultural universities, agricultural departments of State Governments,
officials from Union Ministry of Agriculture, members of Agricultural Price Commission,
former Vice-Chancellors and directors of various institutions. Dr. D.K. Marothia,
the Conference President, while delivering his presidential address brought out
the need for decentralisation of natural resource management in India. He emphasised
that Panchyati Raj Institutions (PRIs), user associations, stake-holders and NGOs
be given the property rights to manage natural resources in optimal manner. He
also hinted at the effect of climatic change on agriculture and other natural
resources and made an impassioned appeal to conserve the environment. Dr. (Mrs.)
Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Chairperson, Indian Council for Research in International
Economic Relations, Chairperson of Committee for Urban Infrastructure and the
Guest of Honour for the inaugural session, brought out the linkages between agriculture
and industry in the context of Punjab State. She emphasized the need for cultivating
the synergies through development of agro-processing, biotechnology and growth
of rural and urban sectors. A book tittled "Managing Rural Finance in India" edited
by Dr. G.S. Kainth, Director, Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies,
Amritsar was also released on the occasion. |
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