'Steps to retain sugar factory land, complete Varahi project on'

Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said the current task before the State government concerning Brahmavar sugar factory is to retain the land, as court might issue the verdict for the auction of land to pay the pending arrears.

Speaking after inaugurating the two-day “Krishi Mela” organised by Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (Brahmavar), the minister said as the first phase in the direction of rejuvenating the Brahmavar sugar factory, the state government has already allotted Rs 12 crore for the payments of the debts owed to the farmers, labourers and the cooperative societies.

Once the situation comes under control, a meeting of the farmers will be called to decide over the future course of  action. He said the other dream project of Udupi district, Varahi irrigation project which is incomplete even after the investment of Rs 450 crore till date, needs immediate attention. Consequently, the government has decided to work on blue print of the project to utilise Varahi river water project to overcome water scarcity in and around the region. The project is only 50 per cent complete and needs another additional cost of Rs 450 crore for the completion. Talks will be held with forest and irrigation department before proposing the sketch for the project.

Stating that the Government has elaborate plans to link 13 rivers to provide water to drought-hit areas in the State, he said that there is a dire need to encourage farming as farmers are fleeing away from cultivation. Nearly 80 per cent of the people in India are dependent on agriculture for livelihood. However, lack of profitable and feasible turnover from cultivation, has compelled the farmers to move away from farming.

Confidence building measures should be taken for farmers. Farmers should feel affectionate for farming to get high yield and satisfaction, he added.

The Government has also plans to set up vented dams to provide water to the farmers. Besides, support price should be offered to the yields. Third person deciding over the price of the crop grown by the farmers is injustice, he said.

The Government is contemplating on setting up of separate authority to decide over the price for the agricultural commodities in the forthcoming budget. The Government has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore to compensate the farmers who suffer loss against the natural calamities. He stressed that the government should augment the compensation  package for arecanut framers who suffered loss owing to rot disease.

The amount should be at least increased to Rs 25,000 per hectare as against the present announced amount of Rs 12,000 per hectare. The proposal over the Agricultural University is resent to the chief minister for consideration, he added.Seminars were held on the subjects - “Cashew cultivation and mixed cropping system in horticulture of the coastal zone,” “Cultivation of cocoa and other mixed crops in horticulture” and “Scope for mechanisation in paddy cultivation and profitable vegetable cultivation” on the occasion.