The Planning Commission will be making a presentation on agriculture and infrastructure before visiting World Bank President, Paul D Wolfowitz on Friday, August 19.
On agriculture, the Indian government is hopeful of getting funding from the Bank for agricultural research, among other things.
The presentation is also expected to focus on the country's reform agenda for the agriculture sector, which includes operationalising a national fund for strategic agricultural research and rejuvenating support systems in extension, credit and inputs.
Wolfowitz, who would visit India for the first time in his new role, is scheduled to meet key ministers in the government and also visit some of the World Bank assisted projects.
The full Planning Commission, which is to meet next month, will also consider the progress in the reform agenda in the agricultural sector, as proposed in the mid-term appraisal of the tenth five year plan (2002-07).
In the medium to short term, higher growth would come from agriculture and infrastructure, the MTA had said, adding that in order to achieve 8 per cent economic growth, agriculture would have to grow at 4 per cent as against the current 2 per cent.
A quick decision on implementation of the Vaidyanathan committee recommendations on cooperative credit institutions and strengthening public infrastructure are on the agenda.
The MTA had also called for development of coal chains and stronger farmer-buyer links to promote perishable horticulture crops and for support to contract farming by introducing changes in the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act.
Amendments to the Essential Commodity Acts and expediting the enactment of a consolidated Food Processing Act are also expected to be discussed at the full Planning Commission Meeting on September 17.
The government is also negotiating with the Bank for a $ 1 billion a year line of credit for development of infrastructure in the country.


