By IANS,
New Delhi : In what could raise eyebrows in the corridors of power, Planning Commission member Anwarul Hoda Wednesday said agricultural land could be used for developing special economic zones (SEZs).
In his address at an international conclave on SEZs here, Hoda said there was no problem in giving away farmland for such purpose unless the land was very fertile.
“Agriculture will have to give way in certain areas for other types of economic activities to improve the living standards of those dependent on agriculture. It is inevitable,” he said.
Hoda, who is also a professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, a non-profit research organisation, said parting with agricultural land for other economic activities would not impact farm-yield output.
“It will not affect agricultural productivity, in fact we need to adopt better technology and other means to enhance farm output,” he said.