Tamil Nadu - Perambalur   

Rs.300 crore to be sought from Centre for wasteland development project

Staff Reporter

For overall development of 60,000 hectares, says Perambalur Collector Anil Meshram

PERAMBALUR: The district administration will send a proposal to the Centre seeking an outlay of Rs.300 crore for overall development of 60,000 hectares of wasteland with a thrust on cashew cultivation, agro-forestry system and provision of infrastructure thereby generating employment opportunities for youths and women.

Stating this at a day-long workshop on `wasteland development integrating employment' organised by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) here on Wednesday, Collector Anil Meshram said the modalities for the proposal, to be routed through the State Government, were being worked out.

The Collector said the workshop was aimed at overall development of farmers, unemployed youths and women members of self-help groups.

The former Scientific Director, Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi, S. Subramaniyan, said the Sendurai, Andimadam, T. Pazhur and Jayamkondam blocks were potential cashew belts in the district and urged the National Horticulture Mission to launch a special programme to tap it.

Inaugurating the workshop, the Dean, Anbil Dharmalingam Agriculture College and Research Institute, Tiruchi, S. Jebaraj, spoke on the advantages of the high-breed cashew varieties.

The Additional Commissioner, Union Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi, Jose C. Samuel, said his Ministry had released Rs. 46.70 lakh for setting up drip irrigation units in the district.

Several officials and resource-persons explained various schemes being implemented through their departments and agencies and volunteered to extend their services at Perambalur. The Project Assistant from the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Career Development, (IECD) Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi, T. Kumudavalli, said the IECD would impart training to women members of self-help groups and unemployed youths. A professor from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai, Aravindan, explained the scope for ready-made garment units in the district.

The Project Officer, DRDA, S. Ayyaru also spoke.

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