MGNREGS funds to be utilised for revival of horti crops

Mangalore, Aug 12: Extending the purview of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the funds utilised under the scheme will now be used for revival of arecanut, coconut and jasmine cultivation in the district during 2013-14. MGNREGS will also support planting fruit bearing plants in schools.

Addressing the workshop on rejuvenation of cashew crops and apiculture organised as a part of birth anniversary of Dr M H Mari Gowda here on Monday, Zilla Panchayat CEO Tulasi Maddineni said that the farmers can take up development work with the available funds from MGNREGS in their farm land.

Re-look

Talking of the need to re-look into the model of farming adopted by the farmers in India, she said that green revolution brought in usage of chemical fertilizers to enhance the yield but now there is a need to introspect the same.

Endorsing inter-cropping techniques, she said that dependence on single crop will not help the farmers. Till the farmers resort top multiple cropping farming for them will never a profitable venture.

Don't encroach forest land

District in-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai inaugurating the programme said that farmers who were once growing paddy have changed their preference to commercial crops in hope of better income.

He said that though commercial crops are said to be viable, several disease attacking the crops have left the growers in lurch. "The government is aware of the problems faced by the growers and it will extend all possible help to the growers," he said.

He also urged the farmers to see to it that they do not resort to encroaching the forest areas. "Due to shrinking forest land, the tiff between man and wild animals has intensified. We must see to it that the forest land are not used for human settlement so that the wild animals live in their habitat and do not venture out," he said.

Cashew shortage

MLA J R Lobo said that there is a need to revive cashewnut plantation in the district and improve the yield by following scientific methods of cultivation. "Inspite of having cashew processing units in the district, the district could not produce enough raw materials for the industries. The cashew processing units are dependent on African countries for raw materials," he said.

Horticulture department deputy director Yogish H R said that the horticulture department is keen on implementing cashew rejuvenation programme under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM). The government has released funds for the rejuvenation of 700 hectares of cashew orchards in Dakshina Kannada district.

Zilla Panchayat vice president Rithesh Shetty released a handbook brought out by the horti clinic in the district. Hand books on programmes of horticulture department and cashew rejuvenation programme was released by Standing Committee (agriculture) president Jayasri on the occasion.