NEW DELHI, 17 October 2006 — Calling for improving the economics of agriculture to alleviate rural distress on a sustainable basis, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday urged all those involved with rural development to give their “focused attention” to this task on a “priority basis”.
Noting that the “next big growth story” could be rural India, the prime minister, while addressing the annual conference of project directors of district rural development agencies, also pointed to “the crisis in agriculture in many parts of our country”.
In this context, he urged them to draw up district agriculture plans, set out clear goals and dovetail all these programs into a larger goal of improving agriculture incomes.
“While improvements in rural infrastructure, employment generation and asset creation through wage employment programs and investments in irrigation are all important, the final goal is to improve the conditions in which agriculture is practiced,” Manmohan contended.
“Till we focus on the larger goal of improving the economics of agriculture itself, we cannot alleviate rural distress on a sustainable basis. As young officers directly involved in work at the grassroots, I request you to focus on this task on a priority basis.
“Development of rural India needs your focused attention, a task which requires inter-sectoral coordination which you are best placed to do. Draw up a district agriculture plan. Set out clear goals. Dovetail all these programs into a larger goal of improving agricultural incomes. This is the way forward,” the prime minister urged.
According to him, “a conjuncture of circumstances, including the high growth rate of our economy, holds great potential for rural India. We need relevant policy intervention to sustain this process”.
Contending this was “a national priority”, he added: “We must bridge the developmental gap between urban and rural areas. We need to collectively ensure that rural India participates actively and effectively in the new growth process. “In this national endeavor you have a vital and a positive role to play. I urge you to play this role with dedication, enthusiasm and creativity. You can make a difference. I hope you will make that difference,” the prime minister stated.
“We need to commit greater professional resources at the district level. I would like your forum to put forward suggestions for strengthening the planning capacity at the district level,” the prime minister urged.
Focusing on some of the programs, Manmohan said he was “happy to note” that the one relating to rural employment guarantee has been widely welcomed by the rural public as well as the state governments.
