V.Isvarmurti talks about the neglect of agricultural sector under the current regime

This agri export agency with a specific mandate was established long ago. This has done some good work. But alas! In a typical Manmohan Singh style cobweb, this is now caught in a turf war among the many ministers! Everyone wants to have control of the agency. This is a great tragedy. It has reached a record of agro exports to Rs. 17,918 crore by last year. Apeda is supposed to run the agri export zones. But now, we like to ask: where are the agri export zones? What progress they have made? Apeda is starved of funds, staff and autonomy and the very identity! North East Region has a big potential in agri exports but it has only a share of just 4.8 %.Apeda hopes to double its exports to Rs.36,510 crores by the end of the 11th plan. In fact, the untapped potential for agri exports is very huge indeed.

Alas, there is neglect everywhere when you look at the agri sector.