Agro sector contribution to GDP has declined, says CM

 Agriculture sector needs a major boost and to increase its worth, proper storage and market facility is needed, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

After inaugurating the three-day ‘Agro-Tech Expo-2016’, organised by Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KSSIA) and Mysuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), at the grounds in front of Maharaja’s College, the chief minister said, “There is a need to check the migration of rural people towards cities, seeking jobs due to various problems in agriculture.”

Speaking on use of technology in agriculture, Siddaramaiah said, “Karnataka is in the forefront. It is the first State in the country to introduce online auction at Agriculture Market Produce Committee (APMC) yards. At present, 103 APMCs across the State have the facility for online auction to avoid middlemen and the system will be extended to all the APMCs soon.

“The Union government has adopted the same method and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the system recently.”

Siddaramaiah said, “Agriculture, industry and service sectors are the major contributors to the GDP.

While the contribution of the service sector is increasing, contribution from agriculture has declined.

“It has contributed just 4.17 per cent this year due to drought.”
KSSIA president V K Dikshit submitted a memorandum, urging the chief minister to organise a round-table conference for small scale industries, on issues like hike in minimum wages, allotment of land, below two acres under 10-year lease-cum-sales, by Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC) to SMEs  and grants for Agro-Tech Expo-2016.