Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today held pre- Budget discussions with agriculturalists in New Delhi.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Secretary General of Consortium of Indian Farmers' Association, P. Chengal Reddy said that experts in agriculture urged the government to increase investment in this sector.

They also called for improving supply chain to increase storage capacity. He said this will also help in curbing the inflation.

Chairman of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, CACP, Ashok Gulati said that they have suggested for private investment to encourage the robust growth of agriculture sector.

Mr. Mukherjee is scheduled to hold a series of interactions with other stakeholders also during the next three weeks to get their feedback and inputs for considering incorporation in the Budget for 2012-13.

According to the official sources, the Finance Minister's meeting with CEOs of banks and financial institutions is likely to be held on the 19th of this month.

He will also meet trade union leaders. Mr. Mukherjee will meet eminent economists to discuss the country's financial health and hammer out solutions for the difficult economic situation at present.

The current fiscal has been difficult for the economy, with growth slipping to 6.9 per cent in the second quarter, the lowest in nine quarters.

The pre-Budget consultations are likely to end with a meeting with the captains of industry on the 31st of this month.

AIR Correspondent reports that a wide range of issues including tax reforms like Direct Taxes Code and Goods and Services Tax may also figure during the discussions.