Allocate 25% RKVY funds for allied farm sector:Pawar to states

New Delhi, Feb 6. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today asked state governments to allocate 25 per cent of funds under the RKVY scheme for livestock and fisheries sector. "In 11 states, the share of livestock and fisheries sector in Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was only 15 per cent or less. I would urge the state governments to allocate at least 25 per cent of resources under RKVY," Pawar said at an event here. Launching of RKVY during the 11th Five Year Plan has resulted in flow of additional resources for farm and allied sectors, while empowering and providing flexibility to the states, he said at the National Conference of State Ministers. In the 11th Plan, the livestock and fisheries sector received 18.59 per cent (Rs 5,102 crore) of total RKVY allocation of Rs 27,452 crore for all states as against the target of 25 per cent, Pawar added. In the current fiscal, the projects amounting Rs 1,165 crore have been sanctioned under the scheme for animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries sector. Emphasising that allied farm sector has potential to drive total farm growth to targeted 4 per cent, Pawar asked the states to utilise funds available under various central schemes to address major challenges like shortage of feed and fodder, effective control of animal diseases and skill development among others. He asked states to effectively utilise funds allocated to them under the National Mission for Protein Supplements (NMPS), launched as part of RKVY last year. The Centre has allocated Rs 160.99 crore to states, as against the total of Rs 500.26 crore under NMPS for the 2012-13 fiscal. On the proposed National Livestock Policy, Pawar said the Centre has formulated a draft policy and has been circulated to states for views. "This may be furnished expeditiously," he added. The draft policy aims to develop livestock sector in a holistic manner. Pawar said he has proposed reorientation of several schemes to provide more flexibility to states in formulating projects to address major challenges facing the sector. He said the animal husbandry, dairy and fishery sector is yet to receive it due attention. Noting that the livestock sector acts as insurance in stabilising farm income in the event of a natural calamities such as drought, Pawar said: "During the current year, the off take of the ambitious National Dairy Plan (NDP) is comparatively slow and I urge the states to focus on different activities required to expedite it." The NDP aims to increase the annual milk production to 180 million tonne by 2021-22. To meet the increasing demand, the minister said India needs to raise annual milk production to an average of 6 million tonne over the next 10-12 years. The current milk production is 128 million tonne in India, the world's largest producer. On fodder shortage, Pawar said that there is a need to develop the public pasture, grazing land and village forest areas apart from growing high yielding fodder varieties. He noted that it was also necessary to regularly monitor the quality of feeds being sold in the market. Expressing concern about stagnation of marine fishery, the Minister said: "Access to institutional credit, availability of quality fish seeds in time, promoting scientific management practices and strengthening infrastructure facilities are some constraints which need to be addressed." He also said North Eastern region should be tapped as it offers excellent climate for cold water fisheries. Fish production is 8.6 million tonne in country.