ICAR budgetary allocation hiked over 2 times

KOLKATA: The Centre has augmented budgetary allocation for ICAR (Indian council for agriculture research) to Rs 25,000 crore in the 12th Plan (2012-17), which is two- and-a-half times from the previous Plan, according to ICAR Deputy Director Swapan Kumar Datta.

Speaking at the secomd 'India crop summit 2012', organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce here today, Datta underscored the need for market intelligence and appropriate pricing for agri-commodities.

West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra called for the need for a scientific outlook towards agriculture, and rued the low availability of bank credit for the sector in the state.

He said West Bengal currently has a CDR of 65 per cent vis-a-vis a national figure of 75 per cent.

Mitra said the SMEs in the state need to be emboldened by adequate financing towards securing their footprint in the food processing sector.

State's Agriculture Marketing Minister Arup Roy said the state government had initiated Krishi bazaars and cold storages at the block level towards better post-harvest facilitation.