Agri sector witnessed growth in 2015-16 despite monsoon

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today said despite back-to-back monsoon failures, the agriculture sector registered growth in 2015-16.
"Despite back-to-back monsoon failures impacting farm output and incomes in the last two years, the agriculture sector, which registered a negative growth of 0.2 per cent in 2014-15, had grown at 1.2 per cent in 2015-16," Singh told reporters here.
The Union Minister dwelt on various initiatives being undertaken by the Narendra Modi government ranging from crop insurance scheme to soil health cards, use of mobile apps among others.
Singh said due to a slew of fiscal measures, Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, giving up of subsidy on LPG, application of mobile app and Aadhaar, the country has been able to generate revenue to the tune of Rs 35,500 crore.

"There are some who may write off the achievements. But the fact is that the country has been forging ahead under the leadership of Narendra Modi," he added.
Stating that rain harvesting and conserving water have been the priorities of his ministry, Singh said the government is in progress to set up an agri-research institute in Assam on the lines of Delhi-based Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI).