| "The project envisages targeting the rural poor and disadvantaged groups like women as beneficiaries of agricultural technology generation and dissemination in consonance with the government's objectives, as expressed in the National Policy on Agriculture," he said. |
| Referring to the country's foodgrain scenario, Pawar said though the area under foodgrain had remained stagnant at around 125 million hectares for the last 25 years, the increase in food production had been achieved largely through productivity enhancement from 522 kg per hectare in 1950-51 to over 1,700 kg in 2005. |
| He attributed this increase to the development and adoption of improved varieties with high yield potential and the capacity to resist important diseases and pests. |
| Expressing concern over the stagnation in wheat output in recent years, Pawar called for remedial measures to improve factor productivity. |
| For this, he suggested promotion of integrated nutrient management and adoption of resource conservation technologies, especially zero-tillage and bed planting. These technologies could help reduce the cost of cultivation, thereby increasing the profit margins of farmers. |
| "Improving growth of total factor productivity also calls for enhanced investments in research, extension and in the creation of necessary infrastructure leading to efficient use of energy, inputs and other resources," he said. |
| He announced that an additional Rs 200 crore would be provided as assistance to state agriculture universities to strengthen agricultural education in the country. The curricula of the agricultural universities would be thoroughly revamped. |
| Besides, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), numbering 536, including 85 sanctioned this year, would be involved in the National Horticulture Mission for technology demonstration for accelerated productivity, production and employment in the horticulture sector. |
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