Rising urban-rural gap not good; need to promote agri sect:Naidu

The rising gap between urban and rural areas is not in the interest of the country and it must be contained, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said today as he stressed the need for promoting the agriculture sector. "The rising gap between urban and rural areas is not at all in the interest of the country and this should be contained. I am not undermining the importance of industry and business, but agriculture sector is needed to be promoted today," he said at an MoU signing ceremony on the second day of Global Rajasthan Agritech Summit here. "Agriculture is the basic culture of the country. I come from a farmer's family and I know the pain of the sector. Priority was not given to this sector and now the government is making all efforts to promote agriculture and is taking positive decisions in the interest of the farmers," he said. The Urban Development Minister said small-scale industries in the agri sector will not only boost the local economy but also enhance the prospects of the farming sector. Naidu said that along with the traditional farming, there is a need to incorporate and promote silviculture, fish culture among others. He said people are now becoming aware about using pulses, cereals in place of rice and also the organic food. "I too have curbed the use of rice," he said. Appealing to farmers not to demand free power, he said they must understand that they need round-the-clock quality power supply and this would be possible only when the government is able to increase generation. He said that the Centre would also help making smart villages in the state. Thirty-eight MoUs worth Rs 4,400 crore were signed during the event. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said the government has showed seriousness towards the concerns of farmers.