In a attempt to start development in riot-torn western Uttar Pradesh the state Government has decided to introduce Crop Diversification Project by asking farmers to grow kharif crops that require less of water for irrigation.
This Crop Diversification Project under Diversified Agriculture Support Project (DASP) would be implemented in 18 districts of western UP in this fiscal. The targeted area includes Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Saharanpur – the region that has witnessed one of worst communal riots in the annals of Uttar Pradesh
UP chief secretary Jawed Usmani said the farmers would be promoted to grow crops that require less water under this project. “The areas where paddy production has come down would be promoted to grow kharif crop,” Usmani said in a meeting of senior officials held here on Tuesday. A total of 125.28 crore would be spent under the project that aims to re-establish 70,500 hectares of land for paddy crop.
Besides, the farmers would be provided all technical and other information through messages. “Clusters of 10.10 hectare would be prepared for implementation of the scheme. To ensure transparent working meetings would be held on every Wednesday between DASP officials and farmers,” he said. He also declared that 20 per cent of the benefit would be reserved for the members of the minority community. Agriculture Production Commissioner Alok Ranjan, Principal Secretary Science and Technology Harisharan Das, Principal Secretary Agriculture Devashish Panda and Principal Secretary DASP Rajan Shukla were among senior officials who attended this meeting.