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The Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Kantilal Bhuria, called for more investments to modernise the agriculture sector. Shri Bhuria inaugurated the 20th Session of Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS), here today. In his inaugural address, Shri Bhuria referred to the need for enhancing investment in agriculture. Agricultural statistics are vital for the Governments in forming policies and programmes, he highlighted. The Government has identified key areas for focused and priority attention, which includes doubling the rural credit in three years, dry land farming, genetic upgradation of cattle and horticulture, he said. Creation of additional irrigation facility, market support to farmers and insurance of crops against production loss are also some of key areas in which government looking into, he said. The Minister said that the World Agriculture Census 2010 should be conducted with proper preparation. He highlighted the need for planning to attain self-sufficiency and resolved to work so that not even a single person goes to bed hungry.
Agriculture Secretary Smt Radha Singh, while delivering key note address, pointed out the gaps in the agricultural statistical system. She hoped that the current session would be able to formulate mechanism in bringing about the desired improvement in food and agricultu8ral statistics in member countries. While emphasising the importance of agricultural statistics, she said, the area of agricultural land in Asia and the Pacific region accounts for about one-third of the total agricultural land of the world, with India’s share in Asia and Pacific region being around 32 per cent. The Asia and Pacific region accounts for 73 per cent of the world’s agricultural population and that of India is 30 per cent within the region. These statistics would reveal the importance of agriculture in the economies of the Asian and Pacific countries, she said.
Mr. Fredrick Baker, APCAS Secretary, Mr. Daniel Gustafson, FAO Representative for India & Bhutan, Mr. Hick Som, Chief Statistical Development Office, FAOHQ and Mr. Huh Yoon Jin, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, Government of Korea /outgoing Chairperson of APCAS also addressed the inaugural session. In five day session, forty delegates from seventeen member countries of APCAS and seventy delegates from Central Government Ministries/Departments & State Governments are participating in the session and more are expected to join in the coming days.
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