Agriculture policy unveiled
The state government announced on Wednesday its Agro Industry Policy wherein steps have been mooted to trigger growth in agro industries and biotechnology for which investments has been solicited during the global investor’s summit Vibrant Gujarat.

The government expects agricultural production to touch this year to Rs 20,000 crores from Rs 12,000 crores last year as agri sector is one of the key thrust areas.

Announcing the agro policy at the GMDC building minister of state for home Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said, "We have planned linkages between the agriculture exports markets and food processing and will take measures to produce agriculture that meets international standards."

However, with no fixed period for the policy with the state government maintaining that the policy changes will be continuous, officials here were hard pressed when asked whether the farmers interests will be jeopardised if the incentives were curtailed midway.

"We are also considering the prospect of encouraging contract farming in the state," Mr Chudasama said. However, when asked if contract farming will lead to exploitation of poor farmers Mr Chudasama said an adequate legal mechanism will be set up to deal with the contract farming.

The state government has also decided to enhance the use of drip irrigation and use of scientific farming methods to boost agriculture growth in the state. Also on the anvil is Rs 3 crore perishable cargo storage facility at Ahmedabad airport to maintain the quality of the exported goods. The state government has also planned agri-export zones for mango and vegetables and value added onions according to the Exim policy of the Centre and for groundnut, sesame seed, castor, isabgul, banana, potatoes, cumming and fennel seeds. The prospect of setting up LNG cold energy based food parks is also under scrutiny at Dahej and Hazira.

The state government has also recognised pharmaceuticals and healthcare sector, agricultural biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, marine biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, bio-informatics and biotech services as thrust areas for biotechnology sector.

Mr Chudasama said the state also intends to promote the use of organic fertilisers and eliminate the use of pesticides.

The state government has also decided to offer back ended interest subsidy to tiny, small, medium and large agro industrial units where a six per cent back ended interest subsidy for five years will be provided from the commencement of operations. The interest subsidy will be available from funds borrowed from financial institutions, scheduled banks for capital investments only.

Republished from The Asian Age