Ganjam farmers upbeat as Green Revolution in East India includes them



Farming in Ganjam District



An occasion to cheer up for the farmers of Ganjam as the district got selected for the scheme of Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) for the welfare of the farmers in particular and agriculture in general. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Union Government has allocated additional Rs 400 crore in the previous year budget for extending green revolution to the eastern region of the country comprising Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern UP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal. Rs 62.62 crore has been allocated in the budget for Odisha to give support to its agricultural sector in the current plan.

Green revolution envisages adoption of new seed varieties, farm machines, nutrients, pesticides and knowledge-based intervention as developed for different agro climatic zones. The BGREI will create conducive atmosphere for agriculture and the farmers of the region towards sustainable development.

Out of 30 districts, 15 districts are selected in this plan, including Ganjam. After surveys conducted by the Agricultural Department, the six blocks in the district include Khallikote, Jagannath Prasad, Kukudakhandi, Digapahandi, Chatrapur and Sheragada wic will be covered under the scheme. Apart from these blocks, five clusters will be formed according to the guideline. Then a monitoring team will be formed under the presidentship of Deputy Director of Agriculture Department.

For monitoring, NABARD is appointed by the Central Government, which will check the work and also inspect if there is violation of guideline of BGREI. The NGOs, which are experienced in the agriculture sector, will be appointed to carry out the job successful, sources said.

The sole aim of the BGREI is to increase crop productivity by intensive cultivation and food safety through recommended agriculture technologies and package of practices. Government has given the charge to inspect the status of agriculture, condition of the farmers on a regular basis. Also it will take care of the problems loan to farmers, opening of bank account and use of technology in the field of agriculture of the zone.

Government also has directed to the local banks to take care of the problems of their region regarding agriculture in the zone of the BGREI. Ganjam is not sound in the field of agriculture, so it needs a proper care in agricultural technology for cultivation and food safety. The Green Revolution in eastern India would bring the cheer in the face of the farmers of the district, hoped the farmer bodies of the district.