Pawar okays govt move to grant aid to buy cattle

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has agreed to the State government’s proposal to provide financial assistance of Rs 25,000 per head of cattle to farmers who have lost their bovines to the foot and mouth disease.

“Though much assistance cannot be provided in controlling the disease, I will provide money to buy new animals to those who have lost their cattle,” said Pawar.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the eighth National Conference of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at the University of Aquicultural Sciences (UAS) here on Wednesday. This apart, additional funds of Rs 175 crore will be sanctioned for the National Horticulture Mission.

On the occasion, Karnataka Minister for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda urged the Central government to sanction a one-time grant for the UAS at the earliest. The proposal is now with the Ministry of Finance.

Gowda said a regulatory body should be formed to look into the use of biofertilisers and pesticides. “Of the 25 samples of biofertilisers and pesticides collected, our team discovered that 17 contained chemical compounds,” said Gowda.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: “While the KVKs have effectively implemented our policies, more capacity building for farmers needs to be done.”

The three-day conference is focusing on the theme ‘Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farms.’