Plan well to meet targets for Kharif: Centre

The Centre has asked the States to prepare a meticulous plan in advance to meet targets for next Kharif season. They have been asked to chalk out men power requirement and to take urgent measures to ensure adequate human resource for implementation of activities under the plan to increase Kharif production.

Two-day’s National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2011 concluded here yesterday, has suggested time bound release/allotment of funds to implementing agencies for achieving production target of 100 million tons of rice in 2011-12. The States in eastern region have specially been urged to continuously monitor schemes for increasing production since significant increase in rice production has to come from this region.

The Conference also recommended to the States to analyse productivity variation at district level and to adopt area specific strategies to enhance production. It also suggested seed treatment, measures to reduce post harvest losses and multi-model enterprises etc. It also said that agriculture staff in the State should not be deployed on other assignments during sowing season.

The States were assured that the Ministry of Agriculture has assessed fertilizers requirement of the states and efforts would be made to meet the requirement. On their part, States should encourage extensive use of leaf colour charts by farmers to optimize fertilizer use, the Conference said.

The Conference also recommended States to give adequate focus on production of fodder as it plays critical role in enhancing milk production. The Conference concluded with the share of experiences on good practices in agriculture practices by some of the States.