Other States - Rajasthan   

Model bajra, jowar fields to be developed in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: The Union Government has selected 17 districts in Rajasthan to launch a scheme for enhancing productivity of bajra and jowar crops through technological applications, farm skills improvement and post-harvest management under the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP).

According to State Agriculture director Bhawani Singh Detha, a total of 226 clusters would be evolved in these districts with the establishment of model crop fields of the size of one hectare each.

Mr. Detha said the Union Government would provide subsidy to farmers for purchasing agricultural kits from village cooperative societies for sowing and irrigation of bajra and jowar crops. A total of 1.94 lakh model fields of bajra and 32,000 of jowar are proposed to be established under the scheme. Each cluster would comprise 1,000 model fields.

Mr. Detha said the details of assistance provided to farmers would be registered in the special cards issued to them to facilitate a follow-up of beneficiaries by the Agriculture Department's staff. Among the clusters, 194 would be for bajra and 32 for jowar.

The districts covered in the scheme are Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Churu, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Tonk, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh.

The NADP aims at achieving 4 per cent annual growth in the agriculture sector during the 11 {+t} {+h} Five Year Plan period by ensuring development of agriculture and allied sectors. It provides flexibility and autonomy to the States in planning and executing programmes for agriculture.

Mr. Detha said the scheme would help achieve the goal of reducing the yield gaps in the desert State's two important crops. He said farmers willing to get the scheme's benefit could approach their nearest agricultural extension workers or the Deputy Director (Agricultural Extension) in their respective districts.

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