In order to make the State self-sufficient by scaling up agriculture and horticulture activities, the Government has decided to prepare a block-wise soil map and provide regular soil testing updates to progressive farmers.
Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati, while reviewing the activities of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments on Friday, asked the officials to advise the farmers about seed adoption, fertiliser application and other activities as per the soil map.
The crop planning should also be related to soil and climate map of the blocks, he said. Stating that progressive farmers are more effective for extension activities who can be real carrier of improved agricultural technology, the Chief Secretary told the two department authorities to identify progressive farmers in each panchayat and keep them updated about latest farming methods through mobile
connectivity in district and block levels.
It was decided that the Director Agriculture would formulate a definite action plan for production of flood and draught resistant seed verities in the current year. The Chief Secretary also told the authorities to multiply mother seeds and propagate the technology among the progressive farmers. Pati stressed on agronomic practices like fertilising, plant care and watering etc for adoption by the progressive farmers.
According to official sources, the departments were also asked to prepare definite action plan to make the State self sufficient in potato,
onion and fresh water fish production.
The Director Horticulture was advised to make productivity study each year through OUAT scientists.
Sources said there has been 50 per cent increase in productivity of banana during 2012-13 in comparison to 2004-05 because of continuous and planned interventions at farmers’ level. Similarly, the productivity in guava has increased by 5 per cent, citrus 18 per cent, litchi 38 per cent, mango 35 per cent, papaya 24 per cent, onion 30 per cent, ginger 18 per cent, turmeric 17 per cent, chili 19 per cent, potato 13 per cent, brinjal 18 per cent and tomato by 18 per cent during the same period.
Cooperation Secretary Bishnupada Sethi, ST & SC Development Secretary Surendra Kumar and Director Agriculture Santha Gopalan, Director Horticulture Sanjeev Chadha, apart from other senior officers from the two departments were present.