MNS:- The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign-2012 has brought out detailed strategies to be adopted by different States in the ensuing cropping season to maximize production.
In the last two days, senior officers and scientists of the Agriculture Ministry, Department of Fertilizers, ICAR and State governments discussed various aspects of crop production such as availability of inputs, likely weather conditions, agronomic practices to be adopted, etc.
To facilitate focused deliberations on the key issues relating to (i) Scientific Input Management, (ii) Strategy for Technology Extension, (iii) Strategy for Ensuing Rabi and Summer Crops, and (iv) Incentivizing Production and Procurement of Oilseeds and Pulses, the States were divided into four Groups. The main findings and recommendations of subject-specific Groups were also discussed in the Conference.
Secretary, DAC stated that delayed onset and deficient first half of monsoon had adverse impact on Kharif crop coverage but situation has significantly improved with good rainfall in the months of August and September, 2012. He urged States to take advantage of soil moisture due to good rains in September to achieve higher rabi production and compensate for the loss of production in the current kharif season.
Secretary, DARE & DG (ICAR) informed that ICAR has prepared district level contingency plans to effectively deal with the problem of deficient rainfall. He advised States to enhance use of technology developed by ICAR on high yielding, pest resistant varieties of crops and the specific varieties suitable for different agro-climatic zones. He also emphasized upon the need to popularize use of agricultural machinery in farm operations to overcome the problem of labour shortage.
Shri G. C. Pati, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries highlighted the need to integrate fodder component in the State Agricultural Plans and provide extension services through KVKs and ATMAS to promote the animal husbandry sector. Expressing concern on the declining area under coarse grains, substantially used as animal feed, he advised promotion of high yielding varieties of jowar and maize to supplement the requirement of fodder.
In the Interactive Session, States raised several issues and made suggestions to remove practical problems in implementation of programmes initiated by Government of India. Secretary (A&C) responded to the issues raised by States.
In the interactive session with officers from Department of Fertilizers, States raised issues on allocation, buffer stock, pre-positioning and supply of fertilizers. The issues raised by the States were clarified by the officials from Department of Fertilisers. It was mentioned that the requirement of fertilizers for ensuing rabi season has been fully tied up and there would be no problems on this front.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/icar-advises-use-of-varieties-suitable-to-local-conditions/
