Union Budget 2011: Eastern India poised for green revolution

KOLKATA: Eastern India is poised for a green revolution. In the Union Budget FM has said that last year's initiative would be continued in 2011-12 as well. He announced a further allocation of Rs 400 crore for the region.

The programme is targeted at the improvement in the rice-based cropping system of Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Chattisgarh.

India’s total rice production is pegged at 94.01 million tonne. Eastern India is the major rice-growing region of the country. It accounts for about 63% of the total rice-cropped area, but produces only 48% of the total yield. About 80% of the rice area of eastern India is rainfed and exposed to abiotic stresses such as drought, low soil fertility, flood and stagnant water.

The decision to continue with second green revolution has brought much cheer to the eastern states. Assam agriculture minister, Pramila Rani Brahma said, "This will help in introducing new technology in the agriculture sector. We will be able to take up minor irrigation projects. During winter we face the problem of irrigation."

Brahma added that with such support Assam would be able to further boost its rice production. The state has targeted 46 lakh tonnes of rice production in 2010-11. Netro Sarma, a memberof the Organic Rice Growers’ Society said, " The farmers of the state will be benefited by this."

A senior official of West Bengal’s agriculture department felt that this initiative will boost the state’s rice productivity if the fund is suitably deployed.