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Allocation for agriculture & allied activities increased from Rs. 7280 crore in 2006-07 to Rs. 8389 crore in 2007-08. |
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Under Bharat Nirman Programme additional irrigation potential of 24 lakh hectares including 9 lakh hectares under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme with increased allocation of Rs. 11000 crore for 2007-08 as against Rs. 7121 crore in 2006-07 will be created. |
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A sum of Rs. 100 crore allocated for New Rainfed Area Development Programme. |
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Restoring Water Bodies : As a follow up of pilot project (launched in March 2005) to renovate and restore water bodies in 13 States, World Bank has signed a loan agreement with Tamil Nadu for Rs. 2182 crore to restore 5763 water bodies having a command area of 4 lakh hectares. Similar agreement for Andhra Pradesh with World Bank is expected soon. Other State Governments urged to come forward with similar proposals. |
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Ground Water Recharge - A sum of Rs. 1800 crore will be transferred to NABARD to facilitate creation of 7 million rainwater harvesting structures & dugwells (including 2 million structures for SF / MF) for recharging of ground water. The subsidy (100 % for small & marginal farmers, 50% for other farmers) to be routed to the beneficiaries by NABARD through Lead Banks. |
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Training of Farmers - ICAR & 32 State Agri. Universities to set up one teaching-cum- demonstration model of water harvesting centres. For this purpose, an interest free loan of Rs. 3 crore will be given to each institution to create a corpus fund to be used subsequently for farmer’s training programme. |
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Agriculture Extension - A revamped Training and Visit (T&V) programme to be introduced by MoA in consultation with State Governments. |
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Rs . 100 crore allocated (Rs. 50 crore each for G.B.Pant Agri. University , Pantnagar and TNAU, Coimbatore ) recognizing excellence in the field of agricultural research. |
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Allocation for Fertiliser Subsidy enhanced from Rs. 17253 crore (2006-07) to Rs. 22452 crore (2007-08). Fertiliser Industry in consultation with the Department of Fertiliser to conduct a study to find an alternative method of delivering subsidy directly to the farmers. |
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Enhancing Pulse Production - Focus on increasing the production of breeder, foundation and certified seeds. Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur ; and Agriculture Universities , IFFCO, KRIBCO, NAFED and Private companies will be invited to scale up production of such seeds for increasing output of pulses. |
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Plantation Sector - A Special Purpose Tea Fund has been launched for re-plantation and rejuvenation of tea. A similar financial mechanism for coffee, rubber, spices, cashew and coconut to be put in place. |
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Agriculture Insurance - Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme to be introduced by Agricultural Insurance Corporation on an actuarial basis with an element of subsidy. (Rs. 100 crore allocation for 2007-08) |
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To give a flip to the food processing sector customs duties reduced on food processing machinery from 7.5% to 5%. Similar reduction for sprinkler and drip irrigation systems used for agricultural and horticultural purposes. |
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Customs duty reduced on crude sunflower oil from 65% to 50% and on refined sunflower oil from 75% to 60%. |
