Improved monsoon scenario and a zest to do something have sent the new Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh in top gear to announce several new projects in the field of agriculture.
The Government has taken a number of initiatives to boost agriculture production, develop high quality seeds, increase storage capacity and steps to reach the benefits of various research works from lab to land.
The Government has launched Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to promote use of organic farming and reduce dependence on chemical inputs, the minister said.
Making a mention of Soil Health Card Scheme, he said that these cards will be issued to 3 crore farmers during current year and 5.5 crore cards each during next two years. Also 100 mobile soil testing laboratories will be made available during the current year, he added.
Shri Singh said that during August 2014, 5 new customised fertilizers have been approved, so that farmers may get required nutrients for their fields. Mentioning initiatives in Horticulture Sector, Shri Singh said that with the launch of Saffron Park recently at Pampore (J&K), facility for processing packaging, e-auction of saffron will be available.
Under a new initiative named ‘Chaman’ the horticulture crops would be mapped through remote sensing (Satellites). He further said that under Indo Dutch Cooperation project ‘centre of excellence’ have been approved in Jalandhar (Punjab), Baramati (Maharashtra), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), which would develop modern technique for fruits and vegetables.
Buoyed by the improving monsoon Union Minister is hopeful of reaping a good harvest. An improved monsoon scenario also enthused IFFCO Managing Director Dr U S Awasthi who tweeted soon “revival of Central Indian monsoon is good for #iIndian agriculture”.
