New Delhi: Agricultural officials on Monday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to create a separate cadre
for agri-professionals on lines of one existing for other top
jobs including IAS and IPS.
In a representation sent to the PM, All India Federation
of Agricultural Associations (AIFAA), sought creation of All
India cadre of Indian Agricultural Service, which they claimed
have been recommended by various committees/commisions.
It said in the memorandum to the PM that creation of a
separate cadre would boost farm sector, which forms backbone
of the Indian economy as 65 per cent of the country`s
population depends on it, a copy of the memorandum send to
media said.
The AIFAA rued that at present top agri posts, both at
the Centre and the state levels, are occupied by people having
no roots in agriculture.
"This has been affecting the crop production and also
affecting the career advancement of agriculture officers", the
memorandum added.
AIFAA is an apex body representing registered scientific
societies, agriculture offices, teachers and students of state
and central universities.
Earlier, in the day thousands of agri professionals under
the banner of AIFAA organised a protest march here in support
of their demand.
PTI
