Govt prepares contingency plan for 10 agri-climatic zones of State: Minister

Surjit Kumar Dhal, BHUBANESWAR, JULY 11: In a bid to save crops from natural calamities, the Odisha Government has prepared contingency plan for 10 agri-climatic zones of the State.

The plan has been prepared with the help of State Agriculture Directorate, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology and Hyderabad-based Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, said Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo, while speaking at the meeting on “Enhancing the Preparedness for Agricultural Contingency during Kharif-2019” here today.

Stating that the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department is well equipped to successfully handle adverse situations arising due to flood, cyclone, drought and late monsoon, the Minister said weather plays a vital role in development of agriculture in the state as two-third of agricultural land is rain-dependent. So, the State government is effecting Seed Reserve Policy under which Odisha State Seeds Corporation is keeping in stock 20,000 quintals of paddy seeds besides green gram, black gram, mustard and til seeds to meet any exigency.

Sahoo further stated that the State government continues the e-Pest Surveillance programme for pest management.

Speaking about the restoration work post-cyclone Fani, Sahoo said agricultural activities have been expedited in 14 affected districts. The government has given assistance of Rs 13,500 per hectare of irrigated land and Rs 6,800 for non-irrigated land in these areas. Besides, decision has been taken to provide 5,000 water pump sets and 10,000 sprayers to farmers at 50 percent subsidy, he added.

Special assistance would be provided to farmers for restoration of coconut, betel and mushroom farming under horticulture, the Minister informed.

Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department Principal Secretary Sourabh Garg, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture Director G Ravindra Chary and others elaborately discussed on monsoon rain in Odisha, arrangement of various agricultural equipment, interim contingency plan and technical knowhow during the meeting.