About Lesson
a) Objectives:
- Increasing production on mass consumption goods.
- Maximize the use of manpower by adopting labour intensive production methods.
- Promote regional balance and integration.
- Maximize the use of labour-intensive farming system.
b) Targets
- An annual growth rate of GDP was targeted to increase by 4 per cent per annum (minimum program) to 5 per cent per annum (maximum program).
- In the whole plan period, the food grain production was targeted to increase by 16.7 per cent and cash crop production by 68.1 per cent.
c) Priority
- Agriculture and Allied sectors were accorded topmost priority (34% of the total outlay) followed by Transport and Communication
- Industry, commerce and power and social services as second, third and fourth priority, respectively.
d) Financing
- The total minimum outlay of the plan was Rs. 9197.0 million and for maximum program it was Rs. 11.404.0 million at the constant price of 1974/75.
e) Achievements
- There was significant achievement in the education sector, roads, postal services and airfield.
- In health, achievement was encouraging but was below target, some extent reduced (NPC, 1981:1).
- As against the target, food grain production decreased by 13.3 per cent and cash crop production registered a growth rate of only 1.6 per cent per year (13.6% in five year).
- Gainful employment opportunities could not be provided to the people. Supply of construction materials lagged far behind the demanded amount.
- Industrial sector achievement was also not satisfactory and there was only 31.8 per cent achievement in power as against the target of 58,845 KW at the minimum program.
Table: Fifth Plan: Targets and Achievements in Agriculture
|
Areas |
Target |
Achievements |
|
Food grains |
17% |
-29.8% |
|
Paddy |
2800 Th Mt |
-26.4% |
|
Maize |
609 Th Mt |
-24% |
|
Wheat and Barley |
1003 Th Mt |
-44.8% |
|
Millet |
143 Th Mt |
-16.8% |
|
Cash Crops |
68% |
-30.8% |
|
Sugarcane |
539 Th Mt |
-28.8% |
|
Tobacco |
18 Th Mt |
-72.2% |
|
Jute |
89 Th Mt |
-23.6% |
|
Oilseed |
104 Th Mt |
-40.4% |
|
Irrigation |
|
95425 Ha |
Source: Poudyal, 1983
f) Obstacles/ Problems
- Shortage of manpower, unavailability of construction materials and other inputs were the causes of low achievement.
- Agriculture sector failed because of heavy dependence on the vagaries of weather, limitation of irrigated land, unavailability of inputs etc.
- Industrial sector could not meet the target because of power shortage.
