Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will inaugurate the convention on November 6 at Shanmukhananda Hall. Governor P C Alexander, noted economist Y K Alagh and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Sompal Shastri are slated to address the conference.

Joshi said the alliance government would spend Rs one crore to transport an estimated three lakh farmers from different parts of the State to the metropolis for a Sena chief Thackeray's rally at Shivaji Park on November 8. The chief minister said he expected participation of three lakh farmers at the rally. ``We have asked the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation to make arrangements to transportthe farmers from different parts of the State to Mumbai on Sunday. While the farmer will have to pay the fare for one way, the government would bear the cost of the return journey,'' Joshi clarified.

Briefing media persons, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi said the agro-deal was aimed at widening the scope of the agro-industrial sector to include horticulture, floriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development, poultry and fisheries. Joshi said the Cabinet has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh or 25 per cent of the capital investment, whichever is less, for setting up infrastructure. Also, Joshi announced that the government would set up Agro Marketing Information Service Centre to provide latest information on high-valued export oriented crops. The department will provide financial assistance of 25 per cent of the capital cost for setting up standardisation institutions.

To encourage export of agriculture produce, the Cabinet has also decided to pay 25 per cent of cost on airtransportation of goods. Initially, it can be availed for one year for the export of flowers, grapes, mangoes and oranges.

Joshi claimed that Maharashtra was the first state in the country to draft a comprehensive package of incentives for the farmers. He, however, remained non-committal on the controversial announcement by by Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray regarding free power to 22 lakh farmers in the State.

The government plans to offer pitch 111 agro-based projects worth Rs 5502 crore to global investors. ``While seven will be in the government sector, the remaining 104 will be in the private sector,'' Joshi revealed.

Replying to a question, Joshi said the main objective of the convention was to create awareness among the farmers with a view to halt the migration of rural youths to urban areas.