Govt plans strategy to set up agri zones

The government is formulating a national-level strategy to support state governments in setting up agro-climatic zones in the country, a senior official said. The Centre had conducted a study, identifying the requirements for these zones, Deputy Commissioner (Machinery and Technology) in the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation A N Meshram said here at a Ficci seminar.

"The report of the study has been submitted to the states and we are formulating a national-level strategy to support them in implementing it," he said. With a view to increasing agricultural productivity, Meshram said India would bring in technology from France, the UK and Italy.

"Currently, use of technology in agriculture is at a low level and these nations can help India in increasing the use of technology to improve farm productivity," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Italian Trade Commissioner Giancarlo Lamio said, Italy can assist India with technology for small farmers and yield farming. "India needs to improve technology. There are fragmented small units and the similar situation is in Italy. We can provide technology for small farmers and yield farming. We can offer to be the best partner in this sector," he said.