Focussing on the need for reversing the prolonged slow down and rising number of sick agricultural industry Union Minister for Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Sharad Pawar said on Thursday that agricultural growth must be enhanced to four per cent per annum during the 11th Five Year Plan.
Addressing the meeting of the General Council of National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) in the capital the minister said for achieving the targeted growth the efficient utilisation of the existing assets would have to be ensured.
“In this context, there is an urgent need to review the investments made in the past and concentrate on their efficient and effective utilisation,” Mr Pawar said.
Mr Pawar also said agricultural co-operatives should play a very important role in stimulating agricultural growth, without which the targeted growth rate might not be achieved.
Maintaining that the NCDC would support and supplement the efforts of the states for development of co-operative activities in agriculture and allied sectors Mr Pawar said major thrust would be on marketing and distribution of inputs, rehabilitation of sick and dormant units and development of activities undertaken by the weaker sections like fisheries, dairy, handlooms etc.

Eleventh plan
Mr Pawar also informed that for the 11th Plan period, a programme of Rs 19640 crore has been chalked out by the NCDC for various co-operative development programmes.
The NCDC has registered a record financial sanctions of Rs 6253 crore.

INDIA TO IMPORT WHEAT
New Delhi, pti: India will import five million tons of wheat this year to augment buffer stock for meeting exigencies, said Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday.
“We have to import five million tons of wheat to raise the buffer stock position,” the minister said.
This is the second year in a row in which the world’s second-largest wheat producer would import the grain. The government imported 5.5 million tons last year to augment its depleted buffer stock due to low procurement.
“We will now start the process of importing. Import will start from August to December,” Pawar said.
On the issue of quality, he said: “It is true that talks have been held with the US government.”
The US government has asked India to adopt the norms accepted by the world, especially western countries to receive American wheat, he said.