Chautala seeks minimum support price for crops

By Our Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, SEPT. 1. The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Om Prakash Chautala, today urged the Centre to announce the minimum support price for various crops, including those other than paddy and wheat, well in advance to encourage diversification of crops in a desired manner.

Speaking at the National Development Council meeting at New Delhi today, Mr. Chautala said as the majority of people were engaged in agriculture and related activities, the policies must revolve around developing a supportive infrastructure for agriculture.

There was a need to put in place an equitable credit structure, re-oriented agriculture extension network, post harvest marketing, pricing mechanism and incentives for agro- processing and value addition.

Reports received here said the Chief Minister drew the attention of the Centre towards the implications of the proposed decentralised procurement of foodgrains.

He said the functioning of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) should be improved.

Otherwise, decentralised procurement would create unhealthy competition among surplus States.

``The FCI must make itself more efficient and discharge its functions without unduly burdening the Central Government.''

Mr. Chautala said there was a need for a forceful plan of action for crop diversification and enhanced agriculture productivity in view of the liberalised trade regime in post-WTO era which required agricultural and industrial products to be competitive in the world market.

Mr. Chautala also urged the Centre to reschedule its loans given to Haryana and defer the repayment liability up to March 31, 2005.

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Section  : Other States
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