The Plan panel on Monday said four per cent agricultural growth is needed for maintaining the current growth momentum in the country and the government is willing to provide funds for developing the sector.
“Four per cent agricultural growth will be needed for growing economy like India. It would require more investment... Government is also willing to fund such projects,” Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said while speaking at a meeting of Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities here.
The meeting was attended by the Vice-chancellors of agricultural universities, faculty and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) officials.
He has asked agricultural universities to adopt innovative approach to strengthen agricultural research and education in India.
Mr. Ahluwalia said, agricultural universities can play an important role in this direction by providing research based projects with the help of industry.
Appreciating the role played by the National Agricultural Research System in India he urged the scientists working in agricultural research institutes to re-orient themselves in next 12th five year plan amid the challenges of food security and climate change.
Referring to the gap in agricultural growth rate and land productivity of China and India, he emphasised on the need for more research on these two issues.
