Porto Alegre, 8/11/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, has announced that the Harvest Plan for the state of Rio Grande do Sul will have a budget of R$3.6 billion, out of the total of R$32 billion budgeted for the whole country. "This is recognition of the state's primary sector and its importance. It is also a way to ensure the continued integration of research, environmental protection, technical assistance, training, credit and commercialization in the state's farm sector. And the result will be increased competitivity and sustainability," declared the minister. (AB)