Haryana government approves comprehensive agriculture policy

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government today approved a comprehensive agriculture policy aimed at attaining inclusive growth exceeding four per cent in the farm sector.

The state government will strive to ensure un-interrupted supply of electricity to the farmers for eight hours per day, focus on productivity of allied sectors like horticulture crops, livestock, fisheries and poultry and promote dairy- based integrated farming system.

Recommendations of Working Group on Agriculture related to procurement price would be pursued with the Union Government, an official release said.

The policy also focuses on ensuring efficient credit and delivery systems, reforms in marketing system and safety net programs, more emphasis on processing and value addition, agricultural research and development and empowerment of women.

Other areas to be covered by the policy include diverse agro-ecology and cropping patterns.

The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda here today approved the agriculture policy after having threadbare discussion on its various aspects, the release said.

It was resolved to make all out efforts for its effective implementation so as to ensure increased income and profitability for improved livelihood of farmers of the state.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had decided to formulate a progressive Agriculture Policy with the help of Haryana Kisan Ayog. Comments received from various stakeholders associated with State agriculture have been considered while preparing this policy, he informed the cabinet meeting.

Notwithstanding significant progress in manufacturing and service sectors, agriculture sector continues to play a major role in the State's economy by providing employment to more than 60 per cent of the population, it was informed.

Hooda said the state has a vision to ensure overall progress and prosperity of Haryana farmers by making farming efficient, economically viable, progressive, knowledge based, sustainable and respectable profession.

"The target to attain inclusive growth exceeding four per cent in agriculture will be achieved through food, nutrition, employment and livelihood security for all; linking farmers to markets for increased income; sustainable agriculture and environmental security; high priority for improving the quality of land and soil resources of the State," Hooda said.