Jaitley re-iterates Centre's commitment to double farmers' income

New Delhi [India]: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday re-iterated the Centre's commitment towards improving the agriculture sector and rural economy, along with ensuring that farmers' income is doubled.

"The government is very much concerned towards improving agriculture sector and rural economy. Agricultural community, world over, is an honourable one, and the growth of our economy depends on farmers. We are committed to double the income of farmers," he said while addressing an international seminar on agriculture hosted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) here.

Further, Jaitley opined that steps need to be adequate measures need to be taken to ensure credit availability to farmers, along with steps to protect them against losses incurred due to crop failure.

"Highly developed countries provide direct subsidy to farmers. In the event of crop failure, farmer insurance must be provided to protect them," he said.

Jaitley also shed light on the importance of improving connectivity, infrastructure and ensuring availability of electricity across rural India.