JOIN USOrganic farming mission in initial phase in Udupi
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Udupi district Department of Agriculture Joint Director K Sangayya informed that Rs 24.5 lakh has been allocated for each Taluk of the district.
The amount has been deposited into the joint account opened in the name of Assistant Director of Agriculture and the NGO concerned of the Taluk in Corporation Bank, he said and added that Lok Sabha polls was the major impediment in execution of the programme. “The agriculture department is yet to receive guidelines concerned with the process from Bangalore. Taluk-level officers are given instructions to chalk out plans and send the proposals. Government will support with Rs 10,000 per beneficiary for the bio-digester and each taluk has the provision for 30 beneficiaries. For vermi compost, each beneficiary will receive a sum amount of Rs 2,000 and a taluk can afford for 60 units of vermi compost,” he said and added that Rs 6,000 will be given by the government to each beneficiary who opts for agriculture pits.
Every Taluk has the provision for 30 agricultural pits under this programme. A sum of Rs 1,000 is given for recharge pits for each beneficiary and 180 pits can be burrowed in each district. A person will receive Rs 1,000 as subsidy for the soil treatment besides lime required for the treatment by the agriculture department. There are as many as 30 proposals earmarked for each Taluk under this provision.
No dearth of seeds
Sangayya informed that there is no dearth for paddy seeds in the district. Sufficient quantities of the seeds are available for farming, he said.
“About 51,600 hectares of land in the district is under paddy cultivation. At present as many as 1,500 quintal of paddy seeds are readily available, of which 1,100 quintal have already been distributed. Over 400 quintal are still remaining and will be distributed shortly among farmers,” he said.
MO-4 quality seed is the single variety commonly used in the district. Since district is habituated with one crop system the other crop cultivation like ground nut, pulses and maize holds significance only after paddy is harvested.
“Paddy seeds are given to farmers at 50 pc subsidy, at Rs 10 per kg. The seeds will be distributed till the end of June and if necessary, the provision will be extended till July 15. The agriculture department has made arrangements for additional 500 quintals of the seeds to meet the surplus demand if need arises,” he added.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, ZP Standing Committee Chairman Janardhan Thonse informed that excessive stock of paddy seeds is available in the district to cover up the demand. Orders have been issued to all agricultural centers in the district to take measures to meet the demand, he said.
Since there is no scarcity of the paddy seeds in the district, farmers can now breath a sigh of relief and concentrate on cultivation, fostering of the crop and harvesting.