New Delhi: The Union Budget 2010-11 has a strong focus on agriculture through a four pronged strategy—agricultural production, reduction in wastage, credit support to farmers and thrust to food processing sector. All this strategy will help in promoting inclusive growth, enhancing rural incomes and sustaining food security in the country.

For increasing agriculture production, the green revolution has been extended to the eastern region of the country. An outlay of Rs 400 crore has been given to states comprising of Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Eastern UP, West Bengal and Orissa, with the active involvement of gram sabhas and farming families.
 
The government is planning to increase production of pulses and oilseed in the country and for this the finance minister proposed to organise 60,000 "pulses and oil seed villages" in rain-fed areas during 2010-11. A grant of Rs 300 crores will be provided for pulses and oilseeds through Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.  

An allocation of Rs 200 crore has been made for launching climate resilient agriculture initiative focusing on soil health, water conservation and preservation of biodiversity.  

For reducing wastages, private sector participation for hiring godowns by Food Corporation of India has been from increased from 5 years to 7 years.
   
The Finance Minister has also increased the availability of credit to farmers from Rs 325,000 crore in the current year to Rs 375,000 crore in 2010-11. Even Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme for farmers have been extended by six months for repayment of loan amount from December 31, 2009 to June 30, 2010.
 
The government is also providing impetus to the development of food processing sector by providing state-of-the art infrastructure. In addition to the ten mega food park projects already being set up, the government has decided to set up five more such parks in 2010-11.