Agricultural growth more effective in poverty eradication: Sharad Pawar

NEW DELHI: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said that according to studies, growth in agriculture is twice effective in eradicating poverty as compared to other sectors.

Addressing the third ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture at Kuala Lumpur, Pawar said: "In my country, studies have shown that one per cent growth in agriculture sector is two times more effective in poverty eradication than growth in other sectors."

Pawar also invited ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries to India as they could benefit from the vast experience in agriculture of the country and collaborate in farm research to face common challenges, according to an official statement.

"I wish to see the present cooperation and collaboration between the ASEAN and India strengthen further, especially in the area of capacity building, collaborative research programmes and efficient management of resources for increased production and productivity in agriculture," Pawar added.

Underling India's growth story in agriculture, Pawar added that today country has achieved self sufficiency in food, and has also done well in horticulture dairying, milk production, fisheries, post-harvest management and development of cold chain infrastructure.

"It is a matter of great satisfaction that the food basket of my country has been diversified with increasing share coming from relatively under developed regions," Pawar said.

Agriculture Minister also invited the ASEAN agriculture ministers to India for the fourth Ministerial Meeting, to be held next year in Delhi.