Following Chief Minister, Hemant Soren’s direction the Agriculture Department has become alert about the possibility of drought in the State and to keep smile on farmers’ face, on Tuesday a brainstorming session held chaired by Agriculture Minister, Badal along with Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVK’s) agricultural scientists, ICAR, Birsa Agricultural University BAU on the current situation in the State. It was decided that the department will work in coordination with scientists.
Addressing the agricultural scientists in the auditorium at Nepal House, Badal said that the possibility of a serious crisis is increasing in the State due to the low rainfall, the sowing work reduced considerably which is a matter of concern and in such a difficult situation, farmers expect excellent examples of quality research from agricultural scientists. “According to the advice of agricultural scientists, an awareness campaign should be launched to the farmers by preparing documents. KVKs will get modern facilities for quality seeds production,” he added.
The Agriculture Minister said that he is very concerned about the farmers of the state and under the Jharkhand State Fasal Rahat Yojana, 20,000 Common Service Centers of the state are assisting the farmers. Addressing the agricultural scientists, he said that the coming 20 days are very critical, so everyone will have to work together.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Agriculture Department, Abu Bakr Siddiqui said that to deal with the situation arising due to less rainfall in the state, emphasis is needed on short term and alternative crops. He told the scientists of KVK that the center on agricultural science is the backbone of the State, so their role is important in providing awareness as well as technical help.
Giving information through a presentation, Agriculture Director, Nesha Oraon said so far the State has received 51 percent less rainfall than the average and there is a need to take special care in total twenty one districts of the State. “In 2021, 36.74 per cent of the area was covered so far, whereas in 2022 only 14.11 per cent of the area has been covered. The focus is being on short duration varieties in the State as well as there is a plan to spread the information of new technology to the farmers. Special Krishak Goshti is being organized, through this information about new technology is being given to the farmers. The Directorate of Agriculture has also started the process of block chain registration. In view of the level of rain, different districts have been grouped and special meetings are being held from all the districts,” she added.
During the meeting, agricultural scientists of BAU Krishi Scientific Center and ICAR advised that according to the ecosystem of Jharkhand, there is a need to add various components in agriculture and also said that there is a need to work on DSR method in the State. It was also suggested in the meeting that in the present situation, there is a need to increase the subsidy of 50 per cent which is given to farmers in seed distribution to 75 per cent subsidy. Emphasizing on the need to formulate a policy on surface water harvesting to increase agricultural production, the scientists said that if the policy is made by the State Government, then soil moisture will be saved.