The Lok Sabha has passed the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Agriculture for 2017-18 after negating all cut motions moved by the opposition. Replying to a debate which continued for over eight hours, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today said the agricultural growth rate is expected to remain at 4.4 per cent during this financial year. He said, the NDA government has taken various steps for doubling of farmers' income by 2022. <br/><br/>He said, apart from focussing on agriculture sector, the government has paid adequate attention to the growth of allied sectors like animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries. He said, the government has provided 100 crore rupees for deep sea fishing activities in the budget. He said under it ,the Centre will provide 40 lakh rupees as subsidy for purchase of vessels suitable for deep sea fishing. <br/><br/>Mr Singh said, the government has increased the budgetary provisions for agriculture sector as compared to the outlays made during UPA government. He said, during 2014- 15 to 2017-18, the NDA government made a total budgetary allocations of 1.64 lakh crore rupees against the budgetary provisions of 1.4 lakh crore rupees in the last four years of UPA regime. He said, the Centre is setting up two national breeding centres in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to improve and conserve indigenous breeds for enhancing milk production. He said, in the budget of 2017-18, ten lakh crore rupees farm credit will be disbursed. <br/><br/>On crop insurance scheme, Mr Singh sought cooperation of all the states to effectively implement the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana so that farmers could get full benefit of the scheme. He also said, the government has prepared a District Contingency Plan for 623 districts to deal with natural disasters. Not satisfied with the reply of Agriculture Minister, the Congress staged a walkout from the House.<br/><br/>Earlier, participating in the debate,Konda Vishweshwar Reddy of TRS appreciated the government for focussing towards farmers' welfare. He said, the NDA government has set a target of ensuring insurance coverage to 50 per cent of farmers by 2019 under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.He, however, stressed on the needs for opening of weather stations in villages for timely information about weather conditions. <br/><br/>Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav of RJD demanded opening of more agriculture research centres in the country. He also requested the government to ensure better implementation of PMFBY. Ram Kumar Sharma Kushwaha of RLSP said, the present government has set a target of doubling of farmers' income by 2022. Janardan Singh Sigriwal of BJP highlighted the government's scheme being implemented by the government for the welfare of farmers.He said, in the budget, the government has made a provision of providing 10 lakh crore rupees credit to farmers.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Agriculture for 2017-18 after negating all cut motions moved by the opposition. <br/><br/>Replying to a debate which continued for over eight hours, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today said the agricultural growth rate is expected to remain at 4.4 per cent during this financial year. He said, the NDA government has taken various steps for doubling of farmers' income by 2022. He said, apart from focussing on agriculture sector, the government has paid adequate attention to the growth of allied sectors like animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries. He said, the government has provided 100 crore rupees for deep sea fishing activities in the budget. <br/><br/>He said under it, the Centre will provide 40 lakh rupees as subsidy for purchase of vessels suitable for deep sea fishing. Mr Singh said, the government has increased the budgetary provisions for agriculture sector as compared to the outlays made during UPA government.He said, during 2014- 15 to 2017-18, the NDA government made a total budgetary allocations of 1.64 lakh crore rupees against the budgetary provisions of 1.4 lakh crore rupees in the last four years of UPA regime. <br/><br/>He said, the Centre is setting up two national breeding centres in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to improve and conserve indigenous breeds for enhancing milk production. He said, in the budget of 2017-18, ten lakh crore rupees farm credit will be disbursed. On crop insurance scheme, Mr Singh sought cooperation of all the states to effectively implement the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana so that farmers could get full benefit of the scheme. He also said, the government has prepared a District Contingency Plan for 623 districts to deal with natural disasters.<br/><br/>Earlier, participating in the debate,Konda Vishweshwar Reddy of TRS appreciated the government for focussing towards farmers' welfare. He said, the NDA government has set a target of ensuring insurance coverage to 50 per cent of farmers by 2019 under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.He, however, stressed on the needs for opening of weather stations in villages for timely information about weather conditions. <br/><br/>Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav of RJD demanded opening of more agriculture research centres in the country. He also requested the government to ensure better implementation of PMFBY. Ram Kumar Sharma Kushwaha of RLSP said, the present government has set a target of doubling of farmers' income by 2022. <br/><br/>Janardan Singh Sigriwal of BJP highlighted the government's scheme being implemented by the government for the welfare of farmers.He said, in the budget, the government has made a provision of providing 10 lakh crore rupees credit to farmers.