Agriculture contributes around 14 to 16 per cent of the Indian GDP, it still has a huge potential to play a key role in taking India to a $ 5 trillion economy, said the Minister of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Govt of India. We have started working with a profitability-centric approach in the agricultural sector with systematic reforms to make the Indian agriculture sector more successful, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said.
"Indian economy is directly related to agriculture and agriculture is directly related to water," said Mr Shekhawat. In India the management of water is of utmost importance. The government has taken a ground-breaking initiative for ensuring long term sustainability of groundwater resources in the country through the Atal Bhujal Yojana, he added. Elaborating further, Mr Shekhawat said that the scheme has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory groundwater management and bringing about behavioural changes at the community level for sustainable groundwater resource management.
"Equitable distribution in water is vital and water management key to sustainable agriculture growth in India," said Mr Shekhawat. It's time that we shift our approach of water management from the supply side to the demand side, he stated. "We need to make farmers aware of the conservation of water and taking alternative crops for cultivation and move towards micro-irrigation. With climate change and reduced water availability affecting major parts of India, an efficient irrigation system is essential to the success of the agricultural sector," the Minister added.
Further highlighting the govt initiatives, he said, that to save water and for better implementation of its crop diversification plans, the government has launched various schemes to encourage farmers to change their cultivated-crop preferences. Urging the industry for investment in the agricultural sector, he said, the industry needs to support the government in its initiative to save water. "We need to have a futuristic vision for agriculture" said Mr Shekhawat. The minister also spoke about efforts being made by the centre to solve specific issues of agriculture and water and said this is high time to invest in the post-harvest system and supply chain management. "The government's call for vocal for local will provide a new roadmap to agriculture," he further added.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU