Tremendous potential for making Green Revolution successful

"Eastern India has a tremendous potential. It has abundant water and good soil to raise production of agricultural goods manifold and make the Green Revolution in this region successful," Pawar told a press conference here.

After holding the first meeting of the committee of seven eastern states on the centrally-sponsored programme of 'Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India', he said the "outcome of the meeting has been extremely positive."

Pawar said that in Bihar and Jharkhand, production of rice has doubled in three years.

He also lauded West Bengal for contributing 15 lakh tonne rice to the national kitty for the first time.

Earlier in the day, he said that the Centre was committed to make eastern region the granary of the nation by growing foodgrains in their natural ecology and to their full established potential.

"Seeing the performance of the region in the recent years, and the dynamic political and administrative leadership that is totally committed to farmers' welfare, I am confident we can convert the region from a chronic food deficit to food provider to the nation in very quick time," Pawar said.

West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee and agriculture minsters of UP, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattigarh, Assam and Jharkhand representing their chief ministers were present at the meeting.