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The concept of development involves several aspects such as productivity, capital formation, income, technology, etc. In simple terms, development means increase in the per capita real income. According to World Bank Survey, India ranks far below in the list and such it is treated as a developing country. Soon after independence, India adopted a strategy of Five Year Plans to bring about the rapid economic development. This process of planning still continuous. The basic objectives of our Five-Year Plans are "rapid expansion in agriculture, industry, transport and other infrastructure with a view to increase production and employment to reduce poverty and inequality of incomes and wealth, and to establish a socialist society based on equality and justice.". In recent years, more emphasis is given to development of infrastructure such as energy, transport, banking and finance, science and technology, social over heats such as health, hygiene and education. New thrust areas for agriculture include high yielding Hybrid varieties, pulses and oilseeds, irrigation, water management, etc. During the last 50 years, India has made lot of progress in all the sectors of the economy. While entering into the third millennium, confidence of achieving more rapid progress in the near future has been created. |
Agri-Knowledge |
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Recently, the technology mission on coconut has been launched to make coconut farming competitive and ensure reasonable returns. It underlines the need for concerted effort to improve productivity, and diversification of coconut and coconut-based products. India is the largest grower in world producing 12.3 billion nuts in an area of 1.8 million hectares with a productivity of 6,892 nuts per hectare. The crop contributes nearly Rs. 7,000 crore annually to the GDP and earns foreign exchange of Rs. 340 crore. It grows in 17 states and three Union territories of the country and ensures livelihood for 10 million people. The technology mission on coconut announced by the Prime Minister last year during his sojourn in kerala, have been finalised and approved by the Central government recently. The objectives of the mission delineated in the guidelines include: a) to establish convergence and synergy among ongoing governmental programmes in order to bring about horizontal and vertical integration, b) ensure appropriate and timely attention to production, post harvest and consumption chain, c)maximize economic benefits from the existing investment and infrastructure, d) promote diversification and value addition, e) disseminate technologies using participatory approach. The focus areas include R&D; capacity building; infrastructure development; integrated pest and disease management; quality, quantity and productivity improvement, facilitating credit availability; ecologically sustainable schemes, post-harvest processing, product diversification and value-addition and agri-bussiness. The steering committee is headed by special secretary(agriculture & co-operation), ministry of agriculture, having horticulture secretary as the member secretary. The chairman of the Coconut Development Board will act as the mission director and the programme will be implemented by Coconut Development Board through identified agencies. Financial assistance will be available for development and adoption of technologies for management of insect pests and disease limited to Rs. 35 lakh will be given for NGOs and farmers. |
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