Farm reforms panel proposed

Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar yesterday said a committee would be set up to suggest reforms measures for the agriculture sector.

He, however, ruled out the resumption of wheat and rice exports from the official stock till the monsoon scenario was clear.

Addressing his first press conference after assuming charge of the ministries of food as well as agriculture, Pawar said though the process of economic reforms had begun in 1991, it had failed to touch the agriculture sector.

The proposed committee would study agricultural marketing, regulated mandi system and other areas where reforms were required. He said the foodgrain stock in the official kitty would increase to about 33 million tonnes (20 million tonnes wheat and 13 million tonnes rice) by July 1.

He said the stock was sufficient to meet the domestic requirement but added that there was no question of exporting grains this year. The situation would be reviewed only after the monsoon, he stated.

Pawar announced that he had requested noted agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan to head the National Commission on Farmers. The present incumbent, Sompal, had already submitted his resignation from the post. The terms of reference of the commission will be expanded to include agricultural reforms.

Referring to the public distribution system (PDS), Pawar said it would be strengthened to ensure availability of food to the poor. However, he wanted the system of procurement of foodgrains for the PDS to be amended and expanded.

At present, grains procurement is done only by the Food Corporation of India and its agencies, which operate only in a few states and cover about 85 per cent of the country's area. Efforts would be made to seek greater involvement of states in this task through decentralised procurement system.

This issue would be discussed with state governments, he said. Talking about the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the minister said he was opposed to bureaucratisation of this scientific body.

The scientists should be given full freedom and allowed to facilitate commercialisation of the technology developed by them. They should also get a share of the profits.

The ICAR should function like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, which is generating fairly high resources through commercial application of their research.

Talking about the priorities of his ministry, he said the foremost among them would be to improve the per hectare yield and the quality of the produce at reduced costs. This was essential to improve the competitiveness of Indian products in the global market.

The ICAR would also be asked to evolve technologies aimed at producing more and better stuff at reduced cost. Scientists would also be asked to develop water economising techniques to help grow more with less water.

Referring to animal husbandry and dairying, the minister said the genetic quality of the animals needed to be improved to enhance their milk and meat yield.

Besides, the product range of the dairy industry, too, needed to be expanded. At present, Indian dairies were producing only for the Indian market. They should also start exporting their produce. Pawar promised to give priority to deep-sea fishing and fishermen's welfare as well.