Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured the Lok Sabha that government will make all efforts to match the 4 % agriculture growth target in the 12th Plan period with the resources at its disposal. "I wish to assure that every effort will be made to match the target with available resources," he said during Question Hour in Lok Sabha.
Singh said the target for the 12th Plan period for agriculture is 4%.
The Prime Minister maintained that the House will get an opportunity to discuss the 12th Plan in detail when it is ready.
Minister of State for Planning Ashwani Kumar said the agriculture growth target achieved in the 11th Plan was 3.3% and conceded that there was need for more efforts to increase the growth rate as it contributes to poverty alleviation and a large number of people depend on agriculture.
On whether the government proposes to increase subsidy provided to farmers, Kumar said several government schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) were supplementing government efforts.
"Rs 9,217 crore have been allocated for agriculture growth in one year. This comes to nearly Rs 50,000 crore in five years," he said.
His reply, however, failed to satisfy the Opposition which alleged that not enough was being done for farmers.
{{/usCountry}}His reply, however, failed to satisfy the Opposition which alleged that not enough was being done for farmers.
{{/usCountry}}"India is a agri-based country. I accept that a lot needs to be done. As for subsidy, we are providing it through subsidy for fertilisers and so on. Kisan Credit Cards have been issued," Kumar said.