(Pervez Bari): The year 2011-12 is going to be a watershed vis-à-vis economic growth of Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Madhya Pradesh with revised estimates of that period having put the economic growth rate of the Heartland State at 12 per cent.
Having agrarian economy Madhya Pradesh has also posted an exceptionally high 18 per cent agricultural growth rate. This is, undeniably attributable to the well contemplated and committed efforts made by the state government to make agriculture a lucrative proposition, an official spokesman claimed.
Besides, Madhya Pradesh clocked close to 17 per cent in manufacturing and 8 percent in industrial growth. In Madhya Pradesh the contribution of industrial sector to GDP has increased to 29 per cent. This has opened up new vistas of development in the state. The prospects of augmenting job opportunities and higher capital investment have also been brightened.
It may be mentioned here that in last four years Madhya Pradesh has stood third in terms of growth in comparison to other states of the country. Besides, during last four years, the state’s growth rate has been above the All India average growth rate.
In a contrast, Madhya Pradesh witnessed negative growth two times in years preceding 2004-05. In year 2000-01 state had -7 per cent and in year 2002-03 -4 per cent. The state’s growth rate in year 2004-05 was mere 3 per cent.
Over last seven-eight years Madhya Pradesh has been able to make these creditable achievements in growth against various odds. Except two years the rainfall had been less than average in all last seven years. In year 2009 it was even 35 and in year 2010 it was 26 per cent less than average. The widespread frost in year 2010-11 adversely impacted the farm output in the state. Despite this, Madhya Pradesh registered about 10 per cent growth rate in year 2009-10 and close to 8 percent in year 2010-11. Madhya Pradesh never had less than five per cent growth rate in any year since year 2004-05. A large chunk of state’s population is engaged in agriculture and construction activities. The growth in these sectors would benefit them. Increased income would lead to greater expenditure for better health, education and other sectors besides paving the way for greater capital investment and production.
Agriculture- Creditable Achievements
• Over all crop production increased from 142 lakh MT to 254 MT in last 8 years.
• Farm productivity increased from 831 kg per hectare to 1223 kg per hectare.
• Madhya Pradesh produced a record 127 lakh MT wheat in year 2011-12.