Date:04/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/04/stories/2006010403841900.htm

Back Andhra CM calls for concerted efforts for rural development

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Jan. 3

THE Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today called for concerted efforts to ensure that the advantages of globalisation reach out to rural parts of the country and the State.

Speaking at the 93rd Indian Science Congress, Dr Reddy said in spite of the strides made in rural development, largely through the Green Revolution, 26 per cent of the country's population is still below the poverty line. The very fact that 72 per cent of the population lives in rural areas makes us introspect whether the progress made in science and technology has made significant difference to life in rural areas, compared with urban areas.

"If we are committed to making rural India a global power, we cannot isolate rural areas from the development process. Our economy is basically agrarian, with 67 per cent of the population depending on agriculture. Let us not forget the fact that agriculture accounts for 25-26 per cent of the gross domestic product and that agriculture and allied sectors contribute to 14-15 per cent of the country's exports. To sustain a high level of GDP growth, planning and research should target more on agriculture and rural development," he explained.

Referring to the contributions made by the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Dr Reddy said it has come out with 302 varieties of crops and has made significant contributions to the agriculture sector.

Among these, Swarna, Samba Masuri, and MTU 1001 occupy 25 per cent of the total cultivated rice area of more than 40 million hectares in the country.