Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Government Accords High Priority to Development of Rainfed Areas

Government has accorded high priority to holistic and sustainable development of rainfed areas. Specific thrust is given for rainfed areas in all major schemes of Ministry of Agriculture. Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) introduced in the year 2011-12 as a sub-scheme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is being piloted in 10 States with an outlay of about Rs.250 crore for productivity enhancement and augmenting family income through alternate production systems. Besides, watershed development programmes are being implemented for the development of rainfed and degraded areas based on concept of natural resource conservation.

The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) was set up as an expert body in November, 2006 to provide knowledge inputs regarding systematic up-gradation and management of country’s dryland and rainfed agriculture. NRAA is assisting States in preparation of States specific perspective plans for development of rainfed areas.

The net sown area in the country is about 141.36 million hectare (2008-09) of which 78.17 million hectare (about 55%) is rained.

This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

MP: SB:CP: rainfed (6.9.2011)
(Release ID :75653)

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