Bihar Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Rai today announced in the Assembly that the state is expected to witness a record production of paddy and wheat, despite slashing of funds by the Centre.
The department has made significant achievements due to successful implementation of agriculture roadmaps - first, from 2008 to 2012, and then again from 2012 to 2017, he said.
Due to this, the state is expected to witness a record 84.87 lakh ton of paddy production in 2016-17, he said adding that a record wheat production is also expected this year because of favourable weather.
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The government is preparing to roll out the "third agriculture roadmap for 2017-2022, the minister said after in reply to the debate in the Assembly on his department's Rs 2644.74 crore budget demand which was passed later amid boycott by opposition NDA members.
Rai said that the Centre slashed funds for schemes relating to agriculture and the state got only Rs 80 crore in two years out of Rs 3094 crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the agriculture package.
The Centre has reduced its share up to 60% from 100% in Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Rashtriya Khadya Suraksha 6Mission Yojana in 2015-16, he said.
The Centre also reduced to 60% from its earlier share of 85% in the Rashtriya Bagwani Mission Yojana, Rai said.
A cut motion moved by BJP member Arun Kumar Sinha and others was rejected.
Sinha demanded that the Chief Minister include 'agriculture schemes' as part of his 'Seven resolves'.
Later, BJP members led by Prem Kumar boycotted the government's reply.
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