Agriculture should be accorded status of an industry: Sitharaman

New Delhi, July 6 (KNN) Agriculture sector in the country should be considered giving the status of industry, this would help the sector become more efficient and competitive signalled, said Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry.

The Minister added that the classification of the sector as industry would benefit as it will be able to avail facilities at par with an industry.

Considering the employment that the sector engages, Sitharaman said that a large chunk of population in the country is engaged in agriculture, it therefore is time that agriculture of the country becomes an industry.

She further commented on the policies in line with the FDI that encourages investment in plantation crops, therefore a boost in the investment further would allow greater production.

The Minister further spoke of the favourable trends of agriculture in terms of exports. She said that in the coming times agriculture is likely to occupy the greatest share of Indian exports; this is another important reason as to why the sector should be given the status of the industry soon.

Sitharaman was speaking at the Banking and Economics Conclave organized by the State Bank of India. (KNN/ DA)