Soon after taking charge as the minister of State for Agriculture, Krishna Byre Gowda said on Thursday that the government will work to streamline the existing schemes of the Agriculture Department to ensure their effective implementation so that the benefits reach the farmers.

Mr. Byre Gowda, who chaired a meeting of department officials and vice-chancellors of Universities Agricultural Sciences, noted that the department has been behind the implementation of several farm schemes during the previous few years. He also said that a few schemes for farmers will be prioritised and simplified keeping in mind the interests of the farmers.

"Some schemes are outdated and a serious thought has to be given whether they should be continued or not," he said.

He pointed out that 10.68 lakh quintals of seeds have been procured for distribution among the farmers at subsidized rates as the farmers are expected to begin sowing activities in the second week of June. He is aiming at achieving a growth rate of 4.5 per cent in the agricultural sector during the 12 Plan period. He also said that the government will work to check illegal hoarding of nutrients by dealers.