Rs 20.10 cr macro management scheme to bring economic boom

In order to overcome low productivity and other agrarian problems, Himachal Pradesh is in the process of implementing the Rs 20.10 crore macro management scheme of agriculture, approved by Union government recently.

A spokesman for agriculture department in a statement said, “The state government will script a new beginning brimming with economic boom in the agriculture sector. This year’s funds to the tune of Rs 20.10 crore have been approved by the Union Agriculture Ministry under the scheme.”

Under the scheme, Rs 2.46 crore has been provided for integrated cereal development programme for wheat, Rs 48 lakh for rice, Rs 93 lakh for pulses and oilseeds, Rs 1.97 crore for agricultural implements.

He said Rs 16 lakh for integrated nutrient management, Rs 4 crore for watershed development, Rs 86 lakh for water harvesting, Rs 1.69 crore for organic cultivation and Rs 22 lakh for weed control in wheat and rice cultivation has been made.

Similarly, the ICDP for wheat envisages to provide assistance for demonstration of improved package of practices at Rs 2,000 per acre, assistance on certified seed of wheat at 50 per cent limited to Rs 5 a kg, assistance on micronutrients at 50 per cent limited to Rs 500 per hectare and demonstration on integrated pest management on farmers’ field school pattern at Rs 17,000 per demonstration and distribution of seed mink.

The ICDP for rice would provide assistance for demonstration of improved package of practices at Rs 2,500 per acre, assistance for demonstration on system of rice intensification at Rs 3,000 per acre, assistance on high yielding varieties rice seed at 50 per cent limited to Rs 5 a kg and assistance for plant protection chemicals and bio-pesticides at 50 per cent limited to Rs 500 a hectare, assistance on integrated pest management on farmers’ field school pattern would be provided at Rs 17,000 per demonstration.

Under the programme for pulses and oilseeds, assistance on certified seed of oilseeds/pulses at 50 per cent is limited to Rs 1200 a quintal, assistance for the production of foundation and certified seed of oilseeds/pulses at Rs 1,000 a quintal, assistance for demonstration on integrated nutrient management at 50 per cent is limited to Rs 1,250 per hectare, assistance for demonstration on integrated pest management at 50 per cent is limited to Rs 750 per hectare.

The scheme for farm mechanisation will bring about reduction in labour cost and increased farm production with application of modernised tools in the field.

Under the scheme, assistance on small tractors is Rs 45,000 limited to 25 per cent, assistance on power tillers is limited to Rs 25,000 to Rs 45,000, assistance on power operated threshers is limited to Rs 12,000 at 25 per cent, assistance on manually operated plant protection equipment at 25 per cent is limited to Rs 800, assistance on power operated plant protection equipment is Rs 2,000 limited to 25 per cent, assistance on tractor drawn equipment such as harrow, cultivator, seed cum fertiliser drill, set of power tiller driven implements at 25 per cent is limited to Rs 10,000, assistance on diesel/electric pump sets is Rs 10,000 limited to 50 per cent.

The scheme for integrated nutrient and pest management involves distribution of soil health cards among farmers and assistance on bio-agents/bio-pesticides of Rs 500 per hectare limited to 25 per cent.

Under the scheme for protective irrigation and water harvesting, assistance for construction RCC tanks of 9 cubic meter to 20 cubic meter capacity is Rs 21,000 and Rs 36,000 respectively limited at 50 per cent.

Under scheme for promotion of organic farming, assistance for setting up of vermi compost units at Rs 3,800 per unit, creating awareness regarding organic farming through print and electronic media, support for organising organic fairs/exhibitions will be provided and for weed control in wheat and paddy, assistance on weedicides /herbicides is limited to Rs 250 per hectare at 50 per cent.

The scheme aimed at boosting farm production and agriculture diversification would rewrite the tales of success for farmers in the state, he added.