A total of 23 new projects worth around Rs 236 cr, mostly in the sectors of agriculture, fishery, irrigation, food production, livestock development and allied activities were sanctioned at a State level Sanctioning Committee (SlSC) meeting on the Rastriya Krushi Vikash Yojana (RKVY) held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi on Monday here.
Principal Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Sourav Garag outlined the issues for discussion. Special Secretary Bhaskara Jyoti Sharma placed the technical, administrative and financial facets of the proposed projects in the meeting for consideration.
While giving nod to the projects, Chief Secretary Padhi directed to make the projects more utilitarian and income adding to the farmers. Padhi further added that each project should add to farmers’ production and productivity. The Fishery and Animal Husbandry Department was asked to promote culture of the nutritious small fishes in rural and tribal pockets. Chief Secretary said consumption of the indigenous fish would add to the nutritional security of the people.
Replying to a media query after the meeting, Principal Secretary Agriculture Garg said that 26 project proposals received from 13 departments and agencies involving investment of around Rs 250 crore were examined in the meeting.
These projects would be taken up during the current year. The major projects sanctioned included increasing irrigation potential through individually owned bore wells and cluster micro river lift points, popularization of modern agricultural equipment, surveillance and monitoring of common diseases of the ducks, livestock support services at the doorsteps of the farmers, strengthening of cashew nurseries, promotion of intensive shrimp farming, promotion of advanced fingerling nurseries, installation of automatic milk collection units and development of integrated farming system for livelihood security of the small and marginal farmers.
Notably, the RKVY was started in Odisha in the year 2007-08.
Till now around 615 major projects have been implemented in the State under the scheme. Out of this, 417 projects have been completed and other 198 projects are ongoing as per year wise time schedule. The scheme is run with funding support from Centre and State on 60: 40 ratio basis. For the year 2017-18, the Government of India so far has allocated Rs 205.19 crore against which the State Government has provided Rs 136.79 crore.