Keep industry off cultivable land: Pawar

Food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar today said while his ministry is not against industry,it is against acquisition of agricultural land with assured crop yields and irrigation facilities.

Addressing the media here on the sidelines of a workshop on ‘Bringing the Green Revolution to the Eastern Region,’ Pawar pointed out that as much as 82 percent of the farmers own less than an acre and 60 percent of such land have no assured water supply.

“Therefore,the land which gives a good crop and the land which has good water supply will have to be preserved.

Therefore,we are not encouraging acquisition of such land,” Pawar said,adding however,he is not against setting up of industries.