Keep industry off cultivable farm land: Sharad Pawar

Food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar today said while his ministry is not against industry, it is against acquisition of agricultural land with assured crop yields and irrigation facilities.

Addressing the media here on the sidelines of a workshop on 'Bringing the Green Revolution to the Eastern Region,' Pawar pointed out that as much as 82% of the farmers own less than an acre and 60% of such land have no assured water supply.

"Therefore, the land which gives a good crop and the land which has good water supply will have to be preserved. Therefore, we are not encouraging acquisition of such land," Pawar said, adding however, he is not against setting up of industries.

Pointing out that land identified for agriculture is shrinking, he said a committee under his ministry had recommended four years ago that the states should not acquire land where "one or two crops is possible and irrigation is also possible."