Agri Committee stresses on innovative technology for food security

The Mid-Term Review (MTR) Committee on Agriculture and Allied Sectors, constituted by the Planning Commission, Government of India for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-12), held a regional consultation review meeting for the Western and Central states of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) on Monday.

The committee observed that most of the states were able to achieve the targets for the first two years of plan period but growth is likely to slow down in 2009-10 due to drought conditions and uneven distribution of rainfall. The state governments appreciated the contribution of centrally sponsored schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and National Food Security Mission (NFSM). However, need for coordinated approach for agricultural development through involvement of concerned departments such as irrigation, rural development, watershed development, etc. was felt, according to a release issued after the meeting.

To improve growth in agriculture, participants stressed the need for increasing investment in technology generation, extension, rural infrastructure, irrigation, post-harvest management, timely availability of farm inputs particularly seeds and fertilizers and tackling environmental issues. Abhijit Sen, member Planning Commission emphasised the need for new innovative and appropriate technologies, policy support and higher investment in agriculture to sustain food security, the release further stated.

"The main objective is to review the performance of agricultural policies, plans and programmes during Eleventh Plan and suggest modifications, up scaling or discontinuation of ongoing programmes, policies and introduction of any new initiative along with financial implications. The review would be done through interaction/consultation with the departments concerned, States, NGOs and other stakeholders relating to agriculture and allied sectors," said Vijay Paul Sharma, a member of the committee and senior faculty at IIMA.

The committee has 12 members, comprising experts from international and national research institutes like international food policy research institutes, Indian Council for Agriculture Research and experts from the agribusiness sector.