Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Karnataka resolution on Agriculture

A joint review of the agriculture sector of Karnataka on 3 August, 2007 at Bangalore by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Chief Minister of Karantaka, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia identified the key thrust areas for the rejuvenation of the sector in the State to achieve the objectives set forth in the National Development Council Resolution of the 29th May 2007. While reaffirming the commitment of the State to achieve 4.5 per cent annual growth in agriculture sector in the State during the XI Five Year Plan period, the following was resolved:

"Achieve additional production of 10 lakh tonnes of rice; 4 lakh tonnes of pulses; 5 lakh tonnes of maize and 9 lakh tonnes of oilseeds in the State under the National Food Security Mission.

Ensure expenditure above the baseline expenditure in agriculture and allied sectors and prepare District Agriculture Plans; aggregate them into a State Agriculture Plan in the next three months; and also formulate schemes/projects/programmes along with the Detailed Project Reports for agriculture and allied sectors to avail of Additional Central Assistance under the new scheme of ACA.

Efforts would be made to utilize the resources available from all existing schemes such as Backward Region Grant Fund, National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and include livestock and fishing and be integrated with minor irrigation projects, rural development works and with the other schemes for water harvesting and conservation. Efforts would also be made to include schemes for beneficiaries of land reforms.

Harness the potential of horticulture produce for export of grapes, pomegranate, lime etc. through cold chain facility and post harvest infrastructure at Bijapur and creation of similar facilities in other potential pockets in the State. Create infrastructure for better water availability especial focus on micro irrigation.

Notify the Rules under the State APMC Amendment Act passed by the State Legislative recently in a time bound manner and initiate action to set up modern terminal market complexes in suitable areas; to achieve financial closure for Hassan and Channapatna and finalise selection of private entrepreneurs for Hubli and Bijapur terminal markets by March 2008.

The State Government to also give wide publicity to the provisions of the Central Sector Scheme on Development/Strengthening of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure to encourage State agencies to avail assistance under the Scheme for upgrading infrastructure in the existing agricultural produce markets including rural godowns and for special commodities such as fish/meat/poultry etc. in the State.

Strengthen agriculture extension in the State by expediting implementation of the ATMA programme improve reach through Farmer's Contact Centres (Raitha Sampark Kendras) with private partnership; strengthen Kissan Call Centre facilities at the RSKs, District Agriculture Training courses for training of farmers and staff; creation of quality enforcement cell.

Expedite implementation of the Vaidyanathan Committee report by signing MOU with NABARD/Government of India. State would adopt new approaches for credit expansion and provide credit to additional 16 lakh farmers.

Accord the highest priority to seed production and make special efforts to bridge the gap between seed requirement and seed production/availability in the State. Further, particular focus will be on paddy seeds and pulses like arhar, urad, moong and gram and oilseeds like groundnut, soyabeen and sesame (til).

The State Government would publicize at its level encouragement to private sector seed companies to avail benefits under the Central Sector Scheme of "Assistance for boosting of seed production in private sector" with the assistance from National Seeds Corporation.

Set up more seed testing laboratories besides the existing 4 seed testing laboratories in different regions of the State and a DNA fingerprinting laboratory in view of increasing area under Bt cotton in the State.

Take up expansion of soil testing capacity in each district and facilities to test input quality; addition of 30 new and strengthening of 25 existing soil testing laboratories and one fertilizer testing laboratory for soil, pesticide, seed, fertilizer and bio-fertilizer testing in the XI Plan period.

Take effective steps, through a campaign mode, against the menace of spurious pesticides.

Initiate steps under the State Organic Farming Policy to promote use of bio-fertilzers, organic manure and micro-nutrient to enhance soil health; to provide a further boost to creation of organic sites in all talukas of the State in association with NGOs/Cooperatives and others.

Focus attention on areas affected by salinity, alkalinity and water logging (about 2.42 lakh hectares) and treat about 75000 hectares during the XI Plan period.

Strengthening and expand "Suvarna Krishi Farm Bond" programme of the State in the XI Plan period.

Expand the programme on bio fields in potential districts having various oil yielding species.

Endeavour to achieve additional milk production of 10.56 lakh tonnes, meat production of 0.25 lakh tonnes, egg production of 44.17 lakh numbers, inland and marine fish production of 1.20 lakh tonnes and 0.97 lakh tonnes respectively in the livestock and the fisheries sector per annum during the XI Plan period through substantial investments in better health care for animals, creation of better market facilities, increased production of fodder and more improved and scientific practices for fish production and also more investment in education research and laboratory facilities in the related fields.

An operational work plan to implement the above would be formulated by the State Government as soon as possible."