Ranchi, Nov 29 (IANS): Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday announced interest-free agricultural loans for one year if farmers pay back their loan to the banks within a year.

"The state government will bear the interest of up to one year. The only condition is that the loan should be paid back in one year," said Das while speaking on the Global Agriculture and Food Summit in Ranchi on Thursday.

He said 50 per cent subsidy will be given in the dairy sector to promote white revolution in the state. "Women should form groups and start dairy farming," he said.

He appealed to farmers not to depend on agriculture alone. "The farmers should divide up farming into three parts: cultivation, cattle rearing for dairy and solar farming on barren land. By adopting these measures, the income of farmers can rise up to four times".

"By May next year, a separate power feeder line will be created in the state for farmers. The state is working on creating separate lines for the industry, common people and agriculture so that electricity supply is evenly distributed to all sections. By August 2019, 24x7 power supply will be ensured in all villages across the state," Das said.

He said 100 farmers, including 50 women, will be sent to Israel and the Philippines to learn modern farming techniques.