DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The need to grow more food was felt during the 19th Century because of the

increasing pressure of
population. According to the recommendation of Famine Commission(1881), Agriculture Department was established in 1883. Work started with the aim of helping the rural community to achieve higher productivity in agriculture. Agriculture and Land Records Departments were functioning together till 1907. After getting encouraging results in an effort made during 1915-16 to stop soil loss, Mr Kitting, the then Agriculture Director started soil conservation work from 1922

DEVELOPMENTAL SCHEEMS
1.Input and Quality Control 2. Extension
Centrally Sponcerd Integrated Cotton Developement Program Guidelines for National Food Security Mission for year 2011-12 Pulses Guidelines for National Food Security Mission for year 2011-12 Rice Oilseed Production Programme Guidelines 2011-12

Future role of NABARD

NABARD may document its achievements, failures, aspirations, what contributed to failure and success in the past 25 years. With these ideas on table, five or six ideas may be identified and a clear path may be chalked out and a blue print for the next 25 years may be drawn.

Credit planning

NABARD should actively engage in developing a long term credit policy for rural finance clearly laying role of various agencies in our multi agency approach to bring a role clarity for all the agencies. With the stress on decentralised planning at PRI level, there is a need to strengthen the institution of DDMs and PLP instrument by NABARD.

Credit functions

Refinance has lost its teeth and moreover no organization can borrow at higher rates and lend at lower rates. NABARD should become an important player in retail markets.

Support to agriculture technology

NABARD has to provide more grant-in-aid for research projects in agriculture technology. NABARD has to cover the last mile by funding the gaps where private sector is not coming forward.

Producer companies

NABARD can promote the producer companies.

Educating of farmers

It has to educate farmers on economic climate. NABARD may conduct short duration training programmes for farmers on the basic skills and application of new technology.

New business opportunities

NABARD should take up management role in Regional Rural Banks by taking 50% share holding to reach village people effectively. It can enhance the value of RRBs by bringing in transparency, supply chain credit and insurance.

DRI interest rates for agriculture

Honble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh urged that Differential Rate of interest may be extended to the entire rural credit and priority sector lending. In case RBI, NABARD and banks have difficulty in reducing the interest rates to 4%, GoI should come forward to give support to this move.

Formation of subsidiaries

NABARD may create more organizations to fill the critical gaps by forming subsidiaries and see to it that they are supported and nurtured in a manner that they become effective. A subsidiary for funding rural infrastructure may be formed as it has developed expertise in funding of private and public sector infrastructure development. The subsidiary should be given the responsibility of mobilizing funds, if required, from overseas.