In a significant bid to boost agricultural production, the Centre on Thursday night approved a Rs 25,000-crore additional assistance scheme to incentivise states to draw up comprehensive plans during the current five year plan (2007-2012).
“To start with there will be an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore during the current financial year 2007-08,” Finance Minister P Chidambaram told newspersons after the Cabinet meeting.
It would aim at enhancing public investment in agriculture and allied sectors besides helping the states to draw up plans taking agro climatic conditions, natural resources and technology into account, and by integrating the livestock, poultry and fishery sectors.
Funds under the ACA would be provided as 100 per cent grant by the Centre.
