Rs 90 cr sanctioned to double farmers income of UK

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

In order meet the target to double the farmers’ income by 2022, Chief Secretary S Ramaswami convened a meeting of state level committee under national agriculture development scheme (NADS) here in secretariat on Tuesday. In which the approved Rs 90 crore for the work.

The Agriculture department has been told to give emphasis on diversifying agriculture so that it becomes lucrative activity in the coming years. they told that a blue print is almost ready with focus on 10 areas. Meanwhile they have been suggesting farmers to take up diverse activities such as animal husbandry, goat rearing, pissiculture and horticulture activities and ensure that farmers get a ready market. The department will introduce scientific technology for farming and soil conservation.

Further, under the Central government’s e-market scheme (Electronic National Agriculture Market) 10 mandis will be connected with National Agriculture Market (NAM). Already, five mandis, including Haridwar, Kashipur, Gadarpur, Kicha and Sitarganj are connected with NAM. Other mandis that will be linked include those in Dehradun and Vikas Nagar. The government intends to connect all the 23 mandis with the scheme. The benefits of the scheme are immense as the farmers will be free to trade in any part of the country and get a good price for his produce. The other benefits of the scheme include 10 percent relaxation in mandi fee and single license for trading. Further, the farmer will receive all payment directly in his bank account. Besides, the Centre will provide financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh per market. This was enhanced by Rs five lakh per mandi in the Union Budget for 2017-18.

Under seed production programme department would establish hill seed bank in hilly region. Besides it rice, wheat production, certification under organic farming, centre for excellence under organic farming and construct godown for seed storage upo Nyay Panchayat and block level. Organic board will make arranagment for market for organic produce. In government horticulture irrigation department would upgrade their existing irrigation system.

Under NADS pesticide programme, to check foot and mouth disease of animal, upgradation of sheep breeding farm and goat breeding farm. Fishery department will work for trout farming. Dairy department’s cooperative society will upgrade milk processing and infrastructure too. Silk department will establish Mulbeery cluster and empower the weavers too. The meeting was attended by secretary agriculture D senthil Pandian and Additional secretary planning Ranjit Sinha and Head of Departments of other departments’ concerned.