1% Corporate Profits Sought For Farm Sector

Union agriculture minister Chaturanan Mishra yesterday asked the corporate sector to set aside one per cent of its profits for the development of agriculture.

Asserting that he was not in favour of doles, he invited industry to undertake the huge task of soil-testing of all major lands and to participate in post-harvest management and marketing of crops.

This would be a great service to farmers and the nation, the minister said while inaugurating a seminar on `corporate initiatives in social development organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Assocham).

Poimtimg out that the largest concentration of people below the poverty line is in the rural areas, he called upon the corporate sector to work towards increasing the productivity of rural farmers, and thereby increase their incomes. This would, in turn, give a boost to the industry he said.

 

The minister said the governments wants to take science and technology to poor farmers, funds for which should be available by the end of march from the World Bank.

He said the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds would lead to a 10 to 15 per cent rise in output.

Outlining his plans for a national seed budget, Mishra said the government plans to setr up a Krishi Vigyan Kendra in every district.

Uttar pradesh will have a Krishi Vigyan Kendra in all its 66 districts before the budget, the minister said.

Union minister of rural areas and employment Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu said the government proposes to double budgetary allocation for the three basic sectors - shelter, rural connectivity and clean and safe drinking water - during the ninth plan.

He appealed to the corporate sector to contribute liberally to the National Fund for Rural Development (NFRD) to supplement budgetary allocations.

Stressing the urgency of providing minimum services to the rural poor, he said the chief ministers conference had unanimously approved the provision of basic minimum services within a fixed time-frame.

Assochams Expert Comm-ittee on Social Responsibilities of Business chairman B G Deshmukh said corporates today realise that economic growth without social justice is not sustainable.

Referring to Assochams initiatives in social development, he said the Rehabilitation Trust had been set up to cater to those affected by Indo-Pak hostilities, particularly in Punjab.

The chamber had also given free ploughing services on 3,500 acres of land belonging to 12,000 people.

Assocham president H L Somanyasked the government to draw upon the corporate sectors good management skills for proper use of funds allocated by the government for the social sector.

Emphasising that the nation cannot afford increased subsidies, Somany said that while subsidies exist all over the world, in India they are overdone.