The Prime Minister has assured farmers of providing them innovative technology and other facilities to increase agricultural production and productivity. Addressing farmers from Banaskantha,Gujarat in New Delhi this morning, Dr Manmohan Singh said, the UPA government is committed to providing them timely loan, electricity, water and fertilizers. Dr. Singh said his government has also doubled the Minimum Support Price of various crops to help farmers get remunerative price of their produce.

The Prime Minister said, despite difficult circumstances, agricultural production and export earnings from farm produce have gone up significantly. He said, it is because of higher production of foodgrains that Parliament passed the Food Security Bill. Extension and marketing facilities have also been improved besides making available loans to farmers on easy terms, he added. Dr Singh said, despite drought like situation in different parts of the country last year, the country is poised to produce 255 million tonnes of foodgrains in 2012-13. Production of pulses which had become stagnant has touched a record level of 18.45 million tonnes during 2012-13 crop year.

Dr Singh said, the centre accorded high priority to agriculture sector in the 11th plan and started several schemes including the National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana to boost the farm sector which led to record production of foodgrains, fruits and vegitables. He said, the 12th plan has targeted four per cent growth in agricultural sector and doubled the allocation as compared to 11th plan. He said, though growth in the sector is the basic responsibility of State governments, Centre will continue to provide full assistance to them.