Monitorable Targets For 11 - Punjab State Planning Board

sowing of paddy before 10 th May has been banned. This will check the depletion of water table,
save electricity & hence contain power subsidy.
17. Notwithstanding, the gains in productivity and production, the economic position
of the farmers is deteriorating. We have been insisting that Minimum Support Price [MSP]
should be equal to the cost of production plus 50% as profit as recommended by the National
Commission on Farmers headed by Dr. MS Swaminathan. Since 60% of the State’s population
is dependent on Agriculture for their livelihood to make development more inclusive, growth in
Agriculture is a must.
18. The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is a good initiative. The State
received Rs. 35 crore in 2007-08, Rs. 87.52 crore in 2008-09 and Rs. 43.23 crore in 2009-10.
This is being well utilized for setting up of Agro Service Centres and Farmers Training Centres,
promotion of low cost Net House Technology, reclamation of degraded soil, strengthening of
marketing infrastructure, conservation of irrigation and rain water, agricultural R&D,
dissemination of technologies, wheat seed replacement, quality and clean milk production etc.
However, the State Government has consistently been demanding the review of the criteria for
allocation of funds. Instead of giving high weightage to un-irrigated areas, some weightage
should be given to maintenance and up-gradation of existing irrigation infrastructure.
19. Initially, the State Government received less amount under the project -
“National Horticulture Mission” from GoI due to release of funds at the fag end of the year,
non-approval of project report by Empowered Committee of GoI and pending amendment in
Agri-Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act of Mandi Board etc. Afterwards, the progress
has been improved and sufficient funds are being availed from GoI and utilized under the
project. During 2009-10, Rs. 42.23 crore had been spent under National Horticulture Mission.
2136 hect. area has been covered under establishment of new gardens (fruits perennials), 1700
hect. area under floriculture including species and aromatic plants and 4000 hect. area has been
adopted for organic farming. To help disseminate latest technology and practices to the State’s
Horticulturists, four Community Training Centres are being set up in the State.
20. The funds to the tune of Rs. 96 crore have been provided under 12th Finance
Commission for 4 years (2006-07 to 2009-10) for research & development, of which 74 crore
was spent on Agricultural Machinery Service Centre, efficient distribution of fertilizers, efficient
on-farm water management, enhancing productivity from degraded soils and strengthening of
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