Speaking at the concluding session of the four-day Agro Advantage Maharashtra Global Investor's Convention here on Monday, Joshi said that the product specific subsidies were negative and totalled 86 per cent in India. Ironically, as a result of this the Indian farmers get much less than they had received causing a loss of Rs 113,000 crore.

Joshi said that it was just contrary in Japan, USA and European Economic Countries where positive subsidies were given to the extent of 70 per cent, 60 and 35 per cent respectively. "A Japanese farmer if given a 100-yen subsidy could earn 190 yen for his produce," he added.

Joshi who has been spreaheading the movement in favour of market economics for farmers said that though the politicans can overlook the loss caused to the farmers due to subsidies, in the changing circumstances, farmers wouldhave to take into account economics, profits and other related factors.

Chief minister Manohar Joshi said that his government was committed for the development of farmers and an agro sector in general and added that various initiatives have already been taken in this regard. He announced that a special task force will be set up soon to follow up on the implementation of projects offered during the Agro Advantage Maharashtra.

Earlier, Maharashtra State Electricity Board chairman Asoke Basak said that the provision of free power to farmers was possible. However, various constraints will have to be considered before taking a decision. Basak was referring to the cost burden if free power was distributed. He informed that MSEB has undertaken a Rs 750-crore project for the supply of good quality power in 10 districts.

Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) vice-chairman RC Sinha said that it plans to take up improvement of 10,000 km of the total 30,000 km state highways in the next 10 yearsthrough private sector participation. He announced that MSRDC has already launched the construction of Mumbai-Pune expressway and 55 flyovers in Mumbai and added that it will offer road and flyover projects to private sectors on BOT, BOOT and BOLT basis. State horticulture minister Shobha Phadanvis said that mechanisation in agriculture was gaining popularity and new water management practices like micro irrigation systems have become a necessity. She added that the foodgrain production in the state has reached a level of 145 lakh tonnes and it has acheived a substantial stability. However, economic stability to the farmers in rural areas remains a concern, she opined.