Tuesday, October 4 2005 18:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Government today (Oct 4, 2005) termed achieving four per cent farm sector growth as a 'challenge,' which has to be met on a mission mode so that the eight per cent overall economic growth becomes sustainable.

The challenge is to attain four per cent growth for farm sector within the shortest possible time, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said, addressing the first sub-committee meeting of National Development Council on agriculture here.

"Water management holds the key to such a growth rate in a sustainable manner", he added.

He said it has been estimated about 20 million hectare of additional land can be brought under irrigation by completing ongoing major and medium irrigation projects and constructing field channels in command areas.

The minister highlighted role of Horticulture Mission in achieving agri-diversification and also drew attention to the importance of livestock and fisheries.

He put stress on accelerating reforms in the agricultural marketing to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.

"This is necessary to ensure that farmers get their due share in the final value of their produce," he said.

Six states have so far amended their Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Acts, he said.

Favoring efficiency in water use through installation of drip, sprinkle and fertilization systems, Pawar said, "For years we have been working around subsidy schemes for drip and sprinkler, but not found an optimum solution".