Madhya Pradesh tops in the country in the production of soya bean, gram, pulses and oilseeds, said Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Gourishankar Bisen in the State Assembly on Monday while replying to the budgetary demands of his departments.
The House also passed the budgetary demands of Rs 2,491 crore 5 lakh and 72 thousand for the Farmers Welfare and Agriculture departments in addition to Rs 40 crore were sanctioned for emergency work plan.
Bisen told the House that agricultural mechanization would be encouraged, 1,000 Yantra Doot Grams would be developed and custom hiring centers would be established in the private sectors.
He said that the economy of the State is agriculture oriented and the financial activities are closely associated with industries and service sector. During the year 2012-13 agriculture sector registered growth of 20.44 per cent while the growth in this sector for the year 2013-14 is expected to be 22.42 per cent. This growth rate is highest in the country, he added.
He said that in order to face the scanty rainfall adequate arrangements have been made under emergency work plan under 'national agriculture development scheme' and Rs 40 crore have been sanctioned for it. Under the scheme cereals and pulses would be made available to the farmers in case of delayed monsoon or scanty rains at subsidized rates.