Keeping in view the issue of food security,the emphasis on increasing foodgrain production in potential areas of Bihar,Chattisgarh,Orissa and other eastern states is a step in the right direction,said PAU V-C Dr Manjit Singh Kang while commenting on the Union Budget 2010. A sum of Rs 400 crore has been earmarked to promote green revolution in these states. To address the issue of increasing bill on import of edible oil,Rs 300 crore have been set aside for investing in 60,000 villages in rainfed areas to promote oilseed production. Conservation of natural resources in the irrigation belts of Punjab and Haryana has become a cause of worry and the state governments have been raising the issue of additional resources. The Finance Minister has allocated Rs 200 crore for the conservation of natural resources,especially groundwater. Access to institutional credit especially in case of small and marginal farmers is also one of the important areas of concern despite tremendous growth in the institutional agricultural credit during the last five years. This year also the agricultural credit supply is expected to go up by Rs 50,000 crore,from Rs 3.25 lakh crore to Rs 3.75 lakh crore. But whether it would really benefit the small and marginal farmers is the main big question will have to be addressed through making changes in the credit delivery mechanism,he said.
