SHIMOGA: A. Ramaswamy, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Water Shed Development, on Monday asked the officials of these departments to implement the pro-farmer programmes announced by the Government in the new budget.

Addressing the implementing officers of the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and Water Shed Development of the districts of Shimoga, Davangere, Haveri and Uttara Kannada at the review meeting, he said they should ensure the strengthening of the 745 raitha sampark kendras.

He emphasised the need for managing directors of the district central cooperative banks and the Deputy Registrars for Cooperative Societies to collect information about the functioning of these kendras and keep the district administration informed about it.

He said the Government had announced several schemes for the welfare of farmers such as the advancement of agricultural loan at 4 per cent rate of interest.

Mr. Ramaswamy said it was the responsibility of the officers concerned to make full use of the National Horticulture Mission. He asked them to ensure prompt and timely supply of fertilisers to farmers for which the Government had created the revolving fund of Rs. 25 crore.

He said the Government had set apart Rs. 240 crore as the revolving fund for assuring the minimum support price for agricultural produce and Rs. 40 crore as reserve fund for the agro processing activities.

He said the Government had offered to encourage innovative designs for bullock carts. He asked the officials concerned to approach the innovative farmers to get their designs for fabricating the improved carts.

He said the new budget had not only made adequate provisions for the development of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Water Shed Development activities but had responded to long-standing demands of farmers for the availability of crop loan at the reduced rate of interest.

He said the implementing officials should show their progress through qualitative follow-up work.

Action plan

Mr. Ramaswamy asked the officials concerned to prepare the district action plan of their departments concerned in consultation with the deputy commissioners, and chief executive officers of the zilla [anchayats to publicise their details through the booklets giving details about the financial allocations for the on-going as well as new works to be taken up during this financial year.

He said the officials of these three departments while leaving their headquarters should keep the deputy commissioners and the chief executive officers of the zilla panchayats informed about details of their tour programmes. They should strictly adhere to their tour programme without deviating from them.

He said when they were in their headquarters, they should respond to the problems of farmers.

Mr. Ramaswamy told the officials of the Agriculture Department to associate with the "Krishi Pandit" Award winning progressive farmers with their programmes for the benefit of farmers.

He asked them to ensure prompt distribution of the Kisan Credit Cards and the ATM cards to farmers.

The Director of Agriculture, Prakash, the Director of Horticulture, Vasanthkumar and the Director of Water Shed Development, Mallappa and the Deputy Commissioner, T.K. Anilkumar, were present.

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