Gov to enhance cotton quality & output

06 Aug '05

2 min read

Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Kantar Lal Bhuria, has informed the Rajya Sabha that in order to improve production, productivity and quality of cotton in the country, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Mini Mission-II of Technology Mission on Cotton is under implementation in 13 States viz.; Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Under the Schemes, assistance is provided for the production and supply of certified seeds of varieties/hybrids not older than 15 years, transfer of technology through frontline demonstrations, training of farmers through Farmers Field School (FFS) and extension workers, insecticide resistance management, maintenance of nucleus resistance management, maintenance of nucleus and breeder seeds, plant protection measures including IPM demonstration, supply of sprayers, pheromone traps, bio-agents as well as water saving devices like sprinklers and drip irrigation system.

These developmental and extension activities have benefited farmers through increased production, productivity and reduced cost of cultivation through control of insects and pests.

The Minister said, the Government has taken several steps to provide relief to the farmers. The banks have been advised to reschedule/restructure the debt of farmers in distress and in arrears, grant one time settlement facility for settling overdue loans of small and marginal farmers and to advance loans to the farmers for repaying the loans taken from non-institutional sources. The farmers are also protected against natural calamities through National Agricultural Insurance Scheme.

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