Hooda's agriculture policy aims at 4% per cent inclusive growth agriculture

Haryana governement approves policy to provide electricity, irrigation and credit to farmers

The Haryana government on Wednesday approved a comprehensive agriculture policy aimed at attaining atleast four per cent inlcusive growth in the farm sector.

The state government will strive to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity to the farmers for eight hours per day, focus on productivity of allied sectors like horticulture crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry and promote dairy based integrated farming system.

The policy also focuses on ensuring efficient credit and delivery systems, reforms in marketing system and safety net programs, more emphasis on processing and value addition, agricultural research and development and empowerment of women.

It was resolved to make all efforts for its effective implementation so as to ensure increased income and profitability for improved livelihood of farmers of the state.

The chief minister said that the state government had decided to formulate a progressive agriculture policy with the help of Haryana Kisan Ayog.

Agriculture sector continues to play a major role in the state's economy by providing employment to more than 60 per cent of the population.

"The target to attain inclusive growth exceeding four per cent in agriculture will be achieved through food, nutrition, employment and livelihood security for all; linking farmers to markets for increased income; sustainable agriculture and environmental security; high priority for improving the quality of land and soil resources of the state," Hooda said.

Greater emphasis will be laid on producing more grains per drop of water. "Bio-resource management will be further improved through ban on crop residue burning, use of non-conventional sources of energy and protecting valuable agro-biodiversity. The policy will also give importance to provide site specific weather advisory services to farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen, and take suitable measures to minimise adverse consequences of climate changes," he said.

While referring to the issue of crop productivity, the chief minister said that the policy would narrow existing yield gaps and lay special focus on timely sowing and planting of crops.

Hooda said that in case of productivity of horticultural crops, there would be increased acreage under hybrids and large scale adoption of protected cultivation.

Hooda added that it would promote dairy-based integrated farming system by using certified bulls, providing balanced diet to animals, ensuring health care under Public Private Partnership mode, establishing fodder banks and net-working of gaushalas.