Amidst drought-like situation being created in the state due to weak monsoon, the state agriculture department has taken initiatives urging farmers to go for alternative farming. Secretary, Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Department, Abu Bakkar Siddikh has directed agriculture officers to spread wide publicity among the farmers for alternative farming in districts to deal with the drought.
The agriculture secretary has instructed officers to extend all possible help to farmers. The agriculture secretary on Sunday held a review meeting with the District Agriculture Officers in virtual mode on the drought-like situation arising in the state.
Secretary Siddikh directed all the districts to continuously monitor the current situation and form a task force under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner. In this meeting, all the District Agriculture Officers were asked about the rainfall in their district, the status of paddy transplantation, the current status of sowing of maize, pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals, as well as in the light of the possibility of scanty rainfall, in relation to alternative farming and its preparation.
Detailed review and discussion took place. So far, the state has received only 50% rainfall and only 15% of paddy has been planted. However, the sowing of maize, pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals is satisfactory. About 18 districts have received 50% or less rainfall. In Kolhan division, except East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum districts, all other districts have recorded below normal rainfall, which is worrying. However, from the month of July, MADAKISAN Gosti is being organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra for alternate farming continuously and farmers are being motivated for alternative farming through Krishak Mitra, ATM/BTM. Paddy is planted in the state till August 15, if there is good rain in the coming weeks, then the planting of paddy can be up to 30-40%.
For the availability of seeds of maize, pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals for alternative cultivation, demand is being made for seeds from the National Seed Corporation through the Government of India. Along with this, an action plan for alternative farming is also being prepared to deal with the situation like drought.
In the meeting, a request was made by the officials to increase the amount of seed grant to give relief to the farmers from scanty rains. Action plan for availability of seeds and fodder for livestock was also considered.
Along with this, the state government is also reviewing the provisions contained under disaster management to provide relief to the farmers from drought, so that financial assistance can be taken from the Government of India in time.
Agriculture Director Nisha, Special Secretary-cum-Advisor Pradeep Kumar Hazari, Deputy Director Santosh Kumar and Mukesh Kumar were also present in the meeting.