Government should take some tough calls on irrigation projects: Rajesh Aggarwal

Agriculture sector in India continues to stay a relevant area, as 60% of our 1.2 billion population is still dependent on farming and eke out their livelihood from that. Monsoon plays an important role in deciding the fortunes of farmers. If there is a delay in monsoon arrival, the farmers are hit hard. Because of lack of irrigation facilities and electricity supply being erratic in rural parts of the country, the farmers have no choice but to depend solely on monsoon.
 
We would like the government to take some tough calls on irrigation projects in the budget, which will have far reaching effects on the lives of farmers. However, without ample supply of electricity, irrigation projects would fail. So there needs to be some visionary projects on power too. Apart from these, the government should also lay serious focus on creating awareness on judicious use of agrochemicals and soil conversation.
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Rajesh Aggarwal is the managing director of Insecticides India Ltd