New strategy for accelerated agricultural production in India

Agriculture has been receiving due importance Plan after Plan. Unfortunately schemes under these plans were not evaluated for decades. Emphasis was given on subsidies. In many cases there was duplication of efforts. No effort was ever made to bring about convergence and efficient utilization of resources. Emphasis should have been laid on cost effectiveness of measures and multiplicity of schemes at national, state and district level dealing with similar areas of focus be avoided. There is need to initiate Accelerated Agriculture Programme (AAP) under which states would be required to submit specific area-based programmes. The consolidation of small agricultural holdings through formation of cooperative societies was required. ICAR will provide high yielding breeder and certified seed; NCDC should act as a financial institution; horticulture wing of the department should be abolished; accelerated irrigation programme be introduced. Industries and organizations consuming large volumes of water should set up desalination plants. At the same time schemes/proposals received from state governments under AAP may be considered/approved by an empowered committee. There is also an urgent need to reduce the administrative cost by rationalising the administrative system.