9 lakh tonnes of foodgrains to be produced in Himachal

9.15 lac tonnes of food grains is targeted to be produced during the current Kharif season which includes a production target of 7.74 lac tonnes for maize and 1.19 lac tonnes for paddy. In addition to this, 6 thousand tones of oilseeds, 1.56 lac tonnes of potato and 6.84 lac tones of vegetables will be produced. Dr. J.C. Rana, Director of Agriculture disclosed this. He also revealed that 4.69 lac hectare area would be brought under Kharif crops.

He further informed that the Department has arranged inputs commensurating to these targets, which include 23000 quintals improved seeds, 20500 tonnes fertilizers nutrients, 100 quintals bio-fertilizer, 95 tonnes insecticides and 50000 improved farm implements/machinery. He also told that in order to ensure the quality of agriculture inputs, 1000 fertilizer samples, 150 insecticides samples and 600 seed samples would be drawn and tested. In addition to this, 50000 soil samples would be drawn, so that farmer could make balanced use of fertilizers and can select the suitable crops.

Dr. Rana stressed that we have to produce more and more food grains for fulfilling the needs of increasing population of State. Most of the farmers in the State are small and marginal and are not able to get sufficient income from farming. If they can make a profit with their farm, they can feed their families in a better way and re-invest in their farm by purchasing agriculture inputs like fertilizer, good quality seed and agriculture equipments/machinery. Therefore, Department is striving hard to achieve production targets.

He further informed that keeping in view the possibilities of increasing the farmer's income through crop diversification, Himachal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan Government for carrying out development study titled as 'Diversified Agriculture to enhance Farm Income'. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding this study. This study has been started in February, 2007 which will be completed in two phases. In Phase I (February, 2007 –November,2007) Maser Plan for entire State will be prepared for 15 years. In Phase-II (November, 2007-February,2009) Action Plan will be prepared for 10 years. Also pre-feasibility study/workshop will be conducted in the field for diversification of crops.

He informed that Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna has been started to achieve 4% annual growth in agriculture sector during the XI Plan period, by ensuring a holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. The main objectives of the scheme are to incentivise the States, so as to increase public investment in Agriculture and allied sectors, to provide flexibility and autonomy to States in the process of planning and executing Agriculture and

allied sector schemes, to ensure the preparation of agriculture plans for the districts and the States based on agro-climatic conditions, availability of technology and natural resources, to ensure that the local needs/crops/priorities are better reflected in the agricultural plans of the States, to achieve the goal of reducing the yield gaps in important crops through focused interventions, to maximize returns to the farmers in Agriculture and allied sectors, to bring about quantifiable changes in the production and productivity of various components in Agriculture and allied sectors by addressing them in a holistic manner.

Dr. Rana urged the farmers to contact Agriculture Officers of their area to get benefits of the schemes being implemented by the Department.