The state government, which had offered in all 101 projects from agri business, food, milk and meat processing and fisheries with an investment of Rs 5,500 crore, has received an assurances from investors for Rs 1,000 crore at the concluding day on Monday. However, the actual investments that will come in is yet to be seen.

Ironically, the experience was no so good as far as the implementation of such projects was concerned as they require large investments in Maharashtra. The state which had offered in all 55 projects with an investment of Rs 18,000 crore during Advantage Maharashtra conference in 1997, could get an actual investment of few crores after about 18 months.

Against this backdrop, the chief minister Manohar Joshi's announcement for the setting up of a special task force comprising ministers and officialsfrom agriculture, dairy development and cooperation for the periodical review and follow up was noteworthy. The task force will have to pursue investors especially in the current global recessionary trend that is discouraging investments.

The investors and the farming community at large received a shot in arm with the prime minister AB Vajpayee's announcement on five-point policy to boost agro and food processing sector. Vajpayee chose the inaugural session on Friday to announce a task force headed by the union minister of state for agriculture Som Pal. This will benefit of the agro and food sectors tremendously.

Unfortunately, for the state government, Vajpayee's visit did not bring in either physical or financial package particularly to overcome the crop damage caused due to unseasonal rains. Vajpayee in fact asked the state government to submit a detailed plan of action. The prime minister also declined to give a specific assurance to the state government on the extension of five years to the muchdebated cotton monopoly procurement scheme.

The state government, however, deserves a pat on its back for taking a lead in the formation of Rs 500 crore agro-fund for the creation of infrastructure and promotion of agro sector in the state. Vajpayee not only lauded the government but also asked the other states to follow the example of Maharashtra. The state was also quick to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Canada-based Tertium International Inc for the generation of money for this agro-fund. The Canadian company had signed a MoU with Andhra Pradesh government for the setting up of Infotech fund.

The credit should be given to the state departments of agriculture and horticulture, animal husbandry and dairy development and cooperation for the organisation of technical sessions on related issues.