Date:02/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/02/stories/2007030208910400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

TDP: explain negative growth in agriculture

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam member Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar has asked the Government to explain to the House the reasons that have led to a negative growth in agriculture sector in spite of good rain.

Winding up the six-day debate on the State budget in the Assembly on Thursday, Mr. Kumar charged the Government with neglecting the farm sector. "Though the Government has been making tall claims, the ground reality is different," he said.

Mr. Kumar said the area under foodgrain cultivation plummeted from 71.68 lakh hectares to 67.43 lakh hectares and there was a drop in production by 21 lakh tonnes in 2006-07.