Sharad Pawar: The Minister of Agriculture
A mother is seen through her love, a father is seen through his commitment to duties, the guru is seen through his advice and guidance, a friend is seen through selfless friendship. Similarly, A leader is seen through his long term foresight, thoughts and actions, directed towards the good and welfare of the common man.
These phrases are applicable to India's minister for agriculture Hon. Shri Sharad Pawar. Because India is honoured to have a minister of agriculture who has his heart in agriculture and farmers, who is constantly obsessed with the development of agriculture and who has made a profound study of every state, its crop patterns, the geographical structure and the local economy of the entire nation. He has constantly endeavoured to ensure that substantial provisions are made in the national budget for basic infrastructure & research of agricultural development. His efforts have shown excellent results over the last two years. Many experts have harped on the theme of agriculture being the base of India rural economy. However only Hon. Shri Sharad Pawar has demonstrated firm action and has taken measures in this direction. In order that national planning be directed towards farmer's convenience & benefits, in order that suitable changes be made in the national budget & planning process, he has effectively supported the farmers cause at the national level. On his 66th birthday today he has expressed his thoughts & action plans regarding all his portfolios in this exclusive interview.
Achievements and future plans
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Government of India
Agriculture Sector
- 3% + Growth in Agriculture & Allied Sectors - 2005-06
- Timely availability & increase in input supply Seeds: NSC - Production increased by 19% seed growers - increased by 12.93%
- Fertilizers : Highest con sumption at 20.3 million tonnes-10.2 2% growth
- Activated Growers & Farmers Associations Increase in Credrt/lnsu ranee cover Issue of 88,975 Letters of Intent to farmers / entrepreneurs for horticulture through National Horticulture Board -area coverage 5.6 fakh acres
Schemes
Launch of
- National Horticulture Mission
- Micro Irrigation
- Development of Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and Standardization
- Support to State Extension Reform programmes
- Forecasting of Agriculture Output Using space, Agri meteorology and Land based Observation (FASAL)
- Natron a I Project on Promotion of Organic Farming
Future plans
- Policy for intellectual property management and tech transfer to be finalized
- Intensification of Research efforts on pulses, cotton, wheat oilseeds and fodder
- Intensification of Research on input use efficiency
- Electronic networking of 200 KVKsto improve extension coverage and outreach
Steps ahead
- Substitute wheat by 10 lakh tonner of coarse grains
- Substitute wheat by rice in predominantly rice eating states like the NE states and the Souther states