New Delhi, Oct 17 : Government has launched a series of schemes and programmes to substantially increase agricultural production in the country.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that there is sixty per cent increase in the Budget for the agriculture sector in the current fiscal, as compared to the last.

" The National Food Security Mission and the Horticulture Mission, the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana have also been launched," Pawar said.

"A comprehensive credit package has also been announced to address the concerns of distressed farmers apart from focusing on irrigation facilities to bring more land under cultivation," he added.

An amount of 25 thousand crore rupees has been earmarked for the purpose in the current plan. (ANI)