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Wednesday 9 March 2011

M. P. to have Integrated Agriculture Development Scheme


Bhopal, February 15 (Pervez Bari): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has given instructions to chalk out an integrated agriculture development scheme in order to ensure benefits of different to the farmers on time making agriculture a profitable proposition. He asked the officers concerned to ensure that funds available under various agriculture schemes and projects are well spent in the larger interest of farmers.
According to an official spokesman Mr. Chouhan was reviewing schemes of Agriculture Development and Farmers' Welfare Department at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, here on Monday.
Mr. Chouhan directed the concerned authorities to chalk out district-wise agriculture plans considering crop diversity and cattle density saying that a comprehensive State Agriculture Plan would be drawn out on the basis of district plans. He instructed the concerning officers to have a meeting of related departments including finance and planning, resolve inter-departmental issues and finalize state agriculture plan.
Referring to sporadic complaints about sale of substandard seeds and fertilizers, the Chief Minister asked the officers to launch a campaign for preventing the sale of substandard seeds and fertilizers. He said that the sale of poor quality seeds and fertilizers will not be allowed in the state at any cost and strict action would be taken against those involved in the sale of adulterated seeds. The companies will have to face legal action and if needed fresh laws could also be made for rigorous punishment to such companies. It was informed that FIRs have been lodged against some companies and licenses have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, in order to make the national agriculture crop insurance scheme more effective and remove anomalies in implementation, the Chief Minister asked the officers to organize a national level workshop at Bhopal. He said that the subject matter specialists and farm policy analysts would be invited to the workshop and suggest an alternative scheme.
Mr. Chouhan stressed the need on spending budget under various agriculture schemes constructively and timely so that farmers get maximum benefit. He said that by the end of every financial year, hundred per cent expenditure should be ensured. He asked them to focus attention on allied sectors like fisheries, horticulture, food processing and animal husbandry.
The Chief Minister said that regions known for specific crops, congenial climate, availability of resources should be identified and all efforts should be devoted to such areas so that they emerge as distinct identity in terms of agriculture. He stressed on making more effective the systems put in place to deposit subsidy amount direct to the beneficiaries' accounts. He said that the impact of state and centre-sponsored farm schemes on farming community should be assessed so that scheme could be timely amended in case of any lacuna.
The Chief Minister reviewed the performance of various schemes including Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and various sub-schemes. He asked the officers to start preparing agriculture development action plan of the coming year incorporating suggestions from people's representatives.
Those who attended the meeting included: Minister for Agriculture Ram Krishna Kusmaria, Cooperative Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mrs. Abha Asthana, principal secretary finance G. P. Sinhal, principal secretary horticulture Sevaram, principal secretary fisheries Mrs. Ajita Vajpayee Pande, Director Agriculture, Director Animal Husbandry and senior officers. (pervezbari@eth.net)

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