Launching the annual survey of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the minister also said the government has started a 'revolution' in farming sector by waiving farm loans of Rs 60,000 crore (Rs 600 billion).

"We have started an agriculture revolution with the loan waiver package. Our recent initiative to spend $ 15 billion (Rs 60,000 crore approximately) to alleviate the debt burden of farmers indicates the importance we attach to agriculture-related issues," he said.

Nath further said that improving the agriculture sector is an important challenge for the Asia-Pacific region and deserves a 'serious response'.

The report would open up solutions to the socio-economic issues across the region, he said, adding, "our government has risen to the need of the hour and taken a slew of policy measures".

Speaking on the occasion, UN-ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer said the survey has suggested a two-pronged approach for improving agriculture productivity and reducing poverty.

She said it was necessary to improve the rural infrastructure and provide farming technologies and water and management services to farmers.

"There has been tremendous neglect. It is time for the countries to take further action. India has not been investing in technology," Heyzer said. She said that one per cent increase in agriculture output could lead to 0.37 per cent drop in poverty in Asia-Pacific region.

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