PM conferred doctorate degree by IARI

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was conferred with a doctorate degree by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) here on Monday.

IARI conferred the degree on Singh for his significant contributions in developing the farm sectors of India.

The ´Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa)´ was presented to Singh by Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar during the 50th Convocation of IARI.

Speaking at the event, Singh said, "Agricultural growth is likely to be about 3.5 percent per annum during the 11th Five Year Plan. "

Singh said: "This is a commendable achievement but we must improve upon it in the Twelfth Plan to reach 4 percent growth or even higher."

He said that the flagship programme Bharat Nirman has focussed on increasing investment in rural roads, rural electrification, irrigation, rural housing and rural communications.

"Over the past seven years we have engineered a shift in the terms of trade in favour of agriculture by raising significantly support and procurement prices," Singh said.

"Food production at the end of the 11th Plan will exceed 250 million tonnes, an all time record. Our pulse production, at 18 million tonnes, is well about the previous barrier of 15 million tonnes," Singh added.