Minister for Planning, Ecology and Statistics and Tumkur district in charge S. Shivanna has said the priority given to the agricultural sector in the Five Year Plans has failed to yield expected results.
The sector is suffering owing to delay in implementation of irrigation projects and this is forcing distressed farmers to migrate to urban centres in search of work, he said.
Mr. Shivanna was addressing a gathering after unfurling the tricolour at Mahatma Gandhi Stadium here during the Independence Day celebrations.
He said the biggest challenge before of the government was to find solutions to problems caused by urbanisation. The government had to take up development works and also ensure that natural resources were conserved, he said.
He said people should emulate the work of champion of the green cause Saalumarada Thimmakka. The Minister also said that dryland farming must be encouraged.
He said a survey was under way to take up work on providing drinking water to 181 villages in Pavagada taluk. The government would give its approval for the project which would be taken up at a cost of Rs. 48.84 lakh.
G.S. Basavaraju, MP, and Suresh Gowda, MLA, were present.
