Baripada: The district administration has underscored the need for bringing more farmers under various welfare schemes of the government in the current year. Maximum number of farmers will be brought under the Soil Health Card scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Phasal Bima Yojana.
Focus was laid on digging of more private bore wells in the district. The farm issues came up for discussion at a meeting for policy implementation of Kharif season at the office of the deputy director of agriculture in Baripada Thursday.
The meeting was presided over by Collector Vineet Bhardwaj. He reviewed various agriculture programmes of the last year. He insisted on successful implementation of the agriculture programmes this year.
At the meeting, the administration laid stress on bringing maximum number of farmers under the Soil Health Card scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Phasal Bima Yojana.
Officials were asked to ensure that assistance being provided to the landless people is utilized in various income-generating activities for them.
In the current season, target has been set to cultivate high-yielding paddy in 2.73 lakah hectares; common paddy in 19,000 hectares, maize in 3500 hectares, raggi and other minor crops in 750 hectares, pulses and other crops in 5600 hectares and vegetables in 87250 hectares.
Officials of the Odisha State Seeds Supply Corporation were asked to supply seeds sufficiently to meet the needs of the farmers in time.
The Collector reviewed the ATMA Yojana and approved plans and proposals put forth by the agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries departments.
Significantly, officials were directed to expedite the training programmes of the farmers at training institutes inside and outside the state.
PNN