STATE EYES PLACE AMONG TOP 5 STATES IN AGRICULTURE

The state governmen has set its eyes on being among the country’s top five states in agriculture within the next two to three years.

Chief minister Devendra Fad navis on Friday also directed the state government to set up a part nership between commercial and district cooperative banks, so as to finance 31 lakh farmers who have been thrown out of the insti tutional credit system owing to debt , the source said.

The district administrations have been asked to integrate the networks of 12 district banks tha are in weak financial health with commercial banks that have financial capacity, but a weak network.

Fadanavis, who chaired the annual state Khariff review meet ing, also announced that a com mittee headed by the additiona chief secretary of the state finance departement will work out a model to ensure that every farmer gets a crop loan. Fadnavis said that after achieving a signifi cant growth rate with the help o various steps, it is all set to achieve sustainable develop ment. The agriculture depart ment has also been asked to work with universities to issue adviso ries to farmers on planning their crops and sowing based on the rainfall pattern for the year.