Agriculture Needs Larger InvestmentHome

"India can hope to achieve 8% -10% growth through better economic management, rolling out of
Goods and Services Tax (GST) and stepping up investments in smart cities and rural infrastructure sector" Arun Jaitley.
Speaking at the NABARD national symposium on Mitigating Agrarian Distress and Enhancing Farm Income, in Mumbai, Jaitley said even in challenging times, India is being looked upon as a bright spot.
The finance minister said "we have a lesson to learn from Greece, and the big message is countries must learn to spend within their means." They further said "When we compare ourselves on surface with various international parameters and how world economies are doing, we may have some opportunity to cheer. Because even in challenging times, a 7.3% growth rate last year and 8% projection for the current year, give reasons for us to smile."
Jaitley said a large chunk of investment needs to be channelized into rural infrastructure development, with special emphasis on irrigation. "States like MP which have invested in irrigation have seen almost immediate results. It is this example we need to emulate" he added. The finance minister said that keeping this challenge in view the government has launched the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, entailing an investment of Rs 50,000 crores over a period of five years.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com