Other States - Puducherry   

New pact to push precision farming

PUDUCHERRY: Minister for Industries and Agriculture V. Vaithilingam on Tuesday said the government was in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) to help in implementing precision farming in Puducherry.

Speaking at a programme on precision farming organised by the Muthumalla Trust here, he said precision farming produced better yield, while utilising most of the cultivable land and lesser amount of water. The government would provide 100 per cent subsidy for the first year, 90 per cent for the second year and 80 per cent for the third year for those who took up precision farming.

Mr. Vaithilingam said there was a drop in the number of students joining the Government Agricultural College in Karaikal from Puducehrry every year. He urged more educated youngsters to take up agriculture.

In Puducherry, a total of 22,000 hectares were under paddy cultivation earlier, which had reduced to 6,000 hectares, Mr. Vaithilingam said. He also presented awards to two farmers for best farming practices.

E. Vadivelu, Director of Extension Education of the TNAU, said precision farming, which had been taken up in Dharmapuri and Hosur districts, would be introduced in 1,000 hectares each in nine more districts and 200 hectares each in the remaining 19 districts of Tamil Nadu. This would be possible with funds from the National Agriculture Development Programme.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

New pact to push precision farming
Elected Bar Association chief
Bakrid greetings
Artists Society announces contest
Traffic arrangement for science exhibition
Approval sought
Centre to consider Puducherry’s plea

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu