Agriculture revival must for inclusive growth: PM

New Delhi: Revival of agriculture, which has grown at an average of 3.5 per cent in past four years, is a must for self-sufficiency in food grains and inclusive growth, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here on Wednesday.

India should pay due attention to be self sufficient in food grains, as the available indicators suggest that the country is entering a decade of rising commodity prices, particularly in the case of food grains, he said while speaking at a conference of governors and lieutenant governors.

"Good performance in agriculture is especially necessary to make growth process inclusive, both socially and regionally," the Prime Minister said.

After a decade of stagnation, the agriculture sector is reviving, Singh said, adding that measures taken by his government in the agriculture sector were showing good results.

The rate of growth of agriculture has averaged 3.5 per cent in the last four years as compared to two per cent in the six years of the previous government, reports IANS quoting the Prime Minister.

Indian agriculture, the mainstay for over 75 per cent of the country's billion plus population, logged a 4.5 per cent growth in the last fiscal, and expected to grow at three per cent this year.

"Available indicators suggest that we are entering a decade of rising commodity prices, particularly in the case of food grains. It is, therefore, highly important that India should pay adequate attention to self-sufficiency in food grains," he said.

The Prime Minister also referred to his various initiatives like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and the National Food Security Mission to attain the goal of food security.

"Agricultural loans of about Rs 70,000 crore have been waived to help Indian farmers," he said.

Referring to a significant increase in procurement prices, the Prime Minister said, "We have kept the issue price of wheat and rice unchanged under the targeted public distribution system."

He urged upon the state governments to assist in the control of inflation by keeping a strict watch on the activities of hoarders and unscrupulous traders.