Vowing to make farming a remunerative enterprise, newly appointed Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday listed tackling of drought, strengthening the cooperative sector and improving marketing as his priorities.

After taking charge as India's 29th agriculture minister, Singh said he will also give due consideration to all the agri-issues raked up by his predecessor Ajit Singh, like high-tractor-low-car loan interest rates.

"Issues raised by Ajit Singh should not be and will not be dismissed outright", he said.

He lamented that farmers are suffering from an inferiority complex due to low income and prefer their sons to become peons rather than carry on the agri-legacy.

To reverse the situation, the biggest challenge will be to improve agri-marketing by developing requisite infrastructural facilities.

On issues relating to Worls Trade Organisation, he said developed countries should reduce their subsidies so that goods from nations like India become more competitive in the world market.

Quality of many commodities produced by the developing countries is much better than that of the developed ones but they cannot compete on the price front due to the trade distorting subsidies of the latter.

He said agricultural development is of paramount importance if the 10th Five-Year Plan target of creating 3.5 crore (35 million) jobs is to be achieved as a major section of the country's population is dependent on the sector.

The ongoing calamity of drought is a matter of concern and no efforts will be spared to tackle the situation all over the country, he added.

Share your comments