MP to step up efforts for agri development

To make agriculture profitable in the state, the government will soon start renewed efforts. This will include a new nursery Act, promotion of private unit for hybrid seed production and seed testing labs, promotion of lift irrigation scheme and seven-hour power supply to farmers.

To extend credit to farmers, the government has plans to improve financial condition of cooperative banks, loan recovery improvement, issuance of more kisan credit cards, a new weather-based crop insurance scheme, enhancement of warehousing capacity of fertilisers, more subsidies on agriculture implements and improvement of fisheries.

“Plans are afoot to invite private partnership for fruits, flowers and vegetables to provide marketing link for horticulture crops. The mandis will have pre-cooling chambers, grading and packing and spot exchange facilities,” said an official.

The official also said fisheries would be brought under National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, creation of more fish farms, issuance of fishermen credit cards and formation of more cooperative societies.

At present agriculture is a non-profit activity in Madhya Pradesh.

In 2007, the state government organised a mega investors’ meet to boost modern farming activities and to provide marketing platform for agri-produce but there was a lukewarm response from industry. A number of companies committed more than Rs 6,000 crore but none came forward.

The industry is also awaiting overhauled version of existing industrial promotional policy.