The Hindu : Karnataka News : Horticulture Dept. to popularise Israeli technology

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 31, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Horticulture Dept. to popularise Israeli technology

By Our Correspondent

KOLAR, JAN. 30. The Horticulture Department has decided to popularise Israeli technology among farmers to enhance the yield. Demonstrations have been planned in nine backward taluks of the State. Under the programme, demonstrations on drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting etc., will be conducted in 200 acres of land in each taluk, and if found successful it will be extended to other parts of the State.

The department also plans to set up a mini biotech centre in Belgaum at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.5 crores, and the Government has already sanctioned Rs. 50 lakhs, the sources said.

HOPCOMS centres are likely to be set up in all taluks and Safal marketing centres established at important places in the State to help farmers sell their produce.

The department plans to set up small farmers service centres as in Maharashtra and Kerala and a proposal has been sent to the National Horticulture Mission seeking Rs. 200 crores for the project.

R. Srinivas, Horticulture Minister, told The Hindu that he had sought funds from the Union Food Ministry for research and development programmes.

The Minister said he had also sought the Union Government's assistance for setting up more cold storages.

Vacant posts

More than 1,200 of the sanctioned 4,950 posts in the <129>Horticulture Department are vacant.

According to the sources only 118 of the 261 Group A officers' posts have been filled and only 481 of the 635 posts in Group B have been filled.

Besides, over 770 Group C and Group D posts are vacant.

One hundred and thirty two posts of senior Assistant Horticulture Director are vacant which has affected research and development programmes, the sources said.

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