Pawar wants more for farm from Budget

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday made a strong pitch for additional fund allocation for the agriculture sector to maintain the growth of 5.6 per cent and more. He however, declined to divulge details.

Against the target of 4 per cent growth in the agriculture sector during the 11th plan, India has achieved 5.6 per cent annual growth, as mentioned in the Economic Survey. The UPA government is making all-out efforts to increase the growth but this will be possible only through additional investments required for irrigation, to boost production and productivity, carry out research and development. Currently, a farm loan is available at 5 per cent but I will be happy if it will be available at a lower rate and also for making capital investments in the procurement of agricultural equipment and tractors,” he said.