FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INTRODUCTION

Transcription

1 FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INTRODUCTION Agriculture is the main stay of majority of rural population of Sikkim. A s u cces s fu l ru ra l econ om y will rem a in key to m a in ta in th e progres s in th e s ta te a s m ore th a n 60% of popu la tion of th e s ta te s till live in villa ges. Du e to a dvers e geogra ph ica l s itu a tion a n d difficu lt terra in con dition, th e exten s ion of a rea u n der cu ltiva tion a ppea rs to be difficu lt. With th e in crea s in g popu la tion th e pres s u re on la n d h a s con tin u ed to in crea s e res u ltin g in low per-ca pita la n d a va ila bility a n d th ere is decrea s in g tren d of farmers working on farms. In Sikkim th e bes t a gricu ltu re s ys tem is s u s ta in a ble a gricu ltu re, wh ich is econ om ica lly via ble for th e in dividu a l fa rm ers a n d en viron m en ta lly s ou n d. Bein g orga n ic Sta te th e Depa rtm en t is propa ga tin g a n d a dvoca tin g fa rm ers to a dopt n ew a n d m odern tech n ology of orga n ic fa rm in g s ys tem to s u s ta in th e produ ction a n d certifica tion proces s in iden tified a rea s. Th e s pecia l em ph a s is h a s been la id by th e Depa rtm en t on fu lfillin g th e ga p in a va ila bility a n d fa rm ers requ irem en t for im proved s eeds, pla n t n u trien ts, bio-fertilizers a n d bio-con trol a gen ts wh ich a re n eces s a ry for s u s ta in in g th e orga n ic fa rm in g s ys tem in th e State. In s pite of lim ited a rea of cu ltiva ted la n d, s m a ller la n d h oldin gs, difficu lt h illy terra in, divers e a gro-clim a tic con dition preva ilin g a t s h ort dis ta n ces, low fa rm in com e a n d la ck of s u pportive in fra s tru ctu res for a gricu ltu re developm en t, th e Sta te h a s a ch ieved to s u s ta in a la rger portion of its food requ irem en t with its effort for im provin g a gricu ltu ra l produ ction. It h a s becom e very im porta n t to s pell ou t Agricu ltu re policy for effective development in Agriculture section on a short and long term prospective. 1

2 STATUS OF AGRICULTURE IN THE STATE Sikkim with a tota l geogra ph ica l a rea of 7,097 s qu a res kilom eters, a rou n d 1,10,000 h ecta re is a va ila ble for cu ltiva tion. Th e n et sown area is estimated to be not more than 62,000 hectare including area u n der m is cella n eou s tree crops a n d grooves. Ra in -fed a gricu ltu re is a predom in a n t fea tu re, h a vin g on ly a bou t 15% a rea u n der irriga tion. Ma in crops grown in th e Sta te a re m a ize, rice, m illets, bu ckwh ea t, pu ls es a n d oilseeds. In view of h illy terra in a n d s m a ll s ize of h oldin g th e m os t s u ited fa rm in g system is integrated farming Th e s pecia l project of Action Res ea rch a n d oth er rela ted a ctivities s u ch a s con s erva tion a n d a doption of loca l cu ltiva rs h a s been propos ed for s ta n da rdiza tion of a gron om ic fa rm in g pra ctices to give fillip to th e orga n ic fa rm in g th rou gh s u s ta in a ble fa rm in g s ys tem. Na tu ra l res ou rce m a n a gem en t bein g th e priority a rea, th e s pecia l em ph a s is h a s been im pos ed on n a tu ra l res ou rce m a n a gem en t for a ba la n ced ecology a n d fa rm economy. LAND CLASSIFICATION Th e Sta te is wh olly h illy s ta te with n o pla in la n d. Th e a gro-climatic con dition ra n ges from Su b-tropica l type in th e Lower Va lley to Alp in e type in th e u pper rea ch es. No s in gle crop or th e va riety of crop ca n s u ite to all the elevation. Less than 30% of the Land has been classified as the la n d of Ca pa city Cla s s I. Th e cu ltiva tion is don e in s lopin g topogra ph y with or without proper bench terracing which call for careful approaches a n d s cien tific s ys tem of fa rm in g. 50% of oth er la n ds a re eith er improperly terraced or un-terraced. 2

3 VISION To pu t Sikkim on a n a ccelera ted pa th of s u s ta in a ble a gricu ltu re developm en t by s tren gth en in g th e produ ction of orga n ic crops a n d en terpris es in a s ys tem a pproa ch with m a rket poten tia l for in crea s ed fa rm in com e to via ble levels a s well a s en s u rin g food secu rity th rou gh in crea s e productivity combined with profitability. The emphasis would be on: Production of HYV seeds, enriched compost and bio-fertilizers Developin g fa rm ers preferred loca l la n d ra ces of field crops m os t suited to the reason Promoting brand value of organically produced local products Broadening of knowledge of farmers for making informed choice Agriculture programme focusing on gender and human aspect PRIORITY SETTING FOR THE DISTRICT Es ta blis h in g, m a n a gin g a n d u s a ges of com pon en ts of orga n ic farming. Soil health improvement. Popularizing resource conserving technologies. Sys tem a tic s h ift from a n d/ or in tegra tion of s in gle crop en terpris es to multiple cropping and intercropping. In ten s ifica tion of crop h u s ba n dry with vegeta ble a n d h orticu ltu ra l crop, animal h u s ba n dry, Mu s h room cu ltiva tion a n d oth er oth er n on crop based farming. Bridging yield gaps of crops, cereals, pulses, oilseeds. Hu m a n res ou rce developm en t of ru ra l you th s, fa rm wom en, oth er disadvantaged groups and field staff. Prom otin g s pirit of coopera tion a n d s elf h elp th rou gh dyn a m ic amongst farmers. Strengthening the extension system. Focus on market oriented agriculture.. Th e pa ra digm s h ift from tra dition a l fa rm in g towa rds m a rket orien ted a gricu ltu re in th e dis trict is a im ed a t crea tin g a divers ifyin g fa rm in g s ys tem with th e h igh va lu e com pon en t like floricu ltu re, off s ea s on vegeta bles, vermicompost, and apiculture with more market network. 3

4 PERSPECTIVE PLAN Th e m a in objective is to in crea s e th e fa rm in com e wh ile a s s u rin g th e food a n d n u trition a l s ecu rity a n d en h a n cin g th e a gricu ltu ra l growth to 4%, a s eries of progra m m es a re pla n n ed. Du rin g th e yea r , th e food gra in produ ction ta rget is es tim a ted to be 112 ton n es. Th is will be a ch ieved by transfer of technology and proper extension services, use of high yielding va rieties a n d im proved va rieties of s eed s u ited to orga n ic con dition s. Certified s eed produ ction progra m m e will be given top priority to fu lfill th e seed requirement of the farmers. Emphasis will be given for soil reclamation and im provem en t of s oil h ea lth. Th e m a s s ive progra m m es a re bein g ta ken u p for on fa rm com pos tin g, verm i-com pos tin g a n d green m a n u rin g. A fa rm mechanization programme, with emphasis on gender friendly implements is also being included in the crop production programme. Mixed fa rm in g s ys tem is in digen ou s to Sikkim, th e depa rtm en t h a s ta ken s tep to p opu la rizin g th e in tegra ted fa rm in g s ys tem a pproa ch for th e s u s ta in a ble a gricu ltu re. Th e u s e of orga n ic a ltern a tive of n u trien t a n d pla n t protection m ea s u res h a s a lrea dy been in corpora ted in a ll crop produ ction progra m m e. Th e projects a re bein g in clu ded for th e efficien t wa ter u tiliza tion in th e fa rm in g pra ctices th rou gh con s tru ction of wa ter h a rves t s tru ctu re a n d s prin kler irriga tion. More em ph a s is is given in capacity bu ildin g by providin g tra in in g a n d exposu re tou r to th e officers as well as the farmers. The Department is putting its all efforts to increase th e produ ctivity of differen t crops for a tta in in g s elf s u fficien cy in cerea ls, pulses and oilseed production. STRATEGIES FOR AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SIKKIM Food an d nutritional s e c urity by m aking the s tate s e lf sufficiency in Food: Th e goa l of m a kin g th e Sta te s elf s u fficien t in food gra in produ ction will be a ch ieved by en h a n cin g th e a gricu ltu ra l growth to 4% with th e a doption of im proved a n d s u ita ble crop m a n a gem en t tech n ologies, in trodu cin g intensive cultivation and changing food habit slightly. 4

5 Quality seed multiplication and distribution: Th ru s t of th e progra m m e is n ot on ly to a ch ieve s elf s u fficien cy in s eed produ ction bu t to a ch ieve s o with qu a lity s eeds. Th e Depa rtm en t is lookin g forwa rd to produ ce h ybrid s eed by s ign in g MOU with NSC an d Zuari Seeds. Seed Repla cem en t Ra te (SRR) is a m a jor in dica tor on th e s ta te of a gricu ltu re, th e progra m m e ta rget to a ch ieve SRR for cereals:45%, Pulses: 15% and oilseed:30%. SEED REPLACEMENT RATIO ACHIEVED IN MAJOR CROPS: Sl. No. Crop Target 1 Paddy Wheat Maize Strengthening of existing Government Farm: Th e exis tin g Govern m en t fa rm s n eed to be s tren gth en ed for tes tin g n ew tech n ologies. Th es e fa rm s pla y a n im porta n t role in th e produ ction of fou n da tion s eed a n d certified s eed. It will a ct a s th e Tra in in g Cen tre for the farmers of adjoining areas. Establishing Sikkim as Organic State: To convert Sikkim into an organic State absolute emphasis has to be given on organic farming. On farm organic manure production and recycling of the farm waste is the Focus of the programme. Organic alternatives of plant nutrition and plant protection are popularizing amongst the farmers. Integrated farming System: Evolvin g a n d dem on s tra tin g a ppropria te crop-lives tock ba s ed fa rm in g s ys tem by in tegra tin g tra dition a l a n d im proved pra ctices. Th e s ys tem wou ld gen era te m ore em ploym en t opportu n ities, in crea s e fa rm produ ctivity with m in im u m dis tu rba n ce to th e fra gile ecos ys tem. The propos ed fa rm in g s ys tem a pproa ch wou ld en s u re u tiliza tion of with in fa rm ren ewa ble res ou rces pla n n ed to be gen era ted th rou gh th e 5

6 integration of different components on one hand and promotion of organic in pu t produ ction like verm icom pos t, en rich ed com pos t, liqu id m a n u re, etc. wh ich is expected to p rovide th e n eeded tech n ologica l ba cku p to further the cause of organic agriculture, animal husbandry etc. Construction of water harvesting structure: Ma in e crop grown in th e Sta te a re Ma ize a n d rice in Kh a rif s ea s on. Alm os t 50 % of th e Pa ddy field remains fallow a fter th e h a rves t of rice. Th ere is en ou gh s cope in u tilizin g th e win ter fa llow for cu ltiva tion of crops like mustard, wheat and buckwheat. The main objective of the Department is to in crea s e th e a rea a n d produ ction u n der ra bi crops th ereby in crea s in g th e croppin g in ten s ity du rin g th e s ea s on. Th e depa rtm en t is em ph a s in g in repair of th e da m a ged ch a n n els or crea tion of m icro irriga tion s ys tem. Construction of water harvest structure is also the focus of the department. Soil Health Management: Th e objective of s oil h ea lth m a n a gem en t progra m m e is to s u s ta in crop production while maintaining soil conditions. This focus on the harmonious u s e of n u trien ts th rou gh orga n ic a n d biologica l s ou rces.it prom otes a pplica tion of ba la n ced n u trien ts on th e ba s is of s oil tes t to a ch ieve targeted yield. Adoption of economic practices by way of multiple cropping: In tercroppin g with legu m e a n d green m a n u rin g crops for econ om ic pu rpos es a s well a s im provin g th e s oil con dition to be given prior importance. Human Resource Development : Ca pa city bu ildin g of exten s ion officer/ officia ls a n d fa rm ers a re being done by regular training and exposure visits. The measures of transfer of tech n ology wou ld be ca rried ou t th rou gh ATMA. KVKs a n d th e exten s ion officers / officia ls of th e Depa rtm en t a re in volved in th e fa rm er s cien tis t interaction at village level. 6

7 Farm Mechanization: Agricu ltu re m ech a n iza tion is m ea n s to in trodu ce im proved im plem en ts a n d m a ch in es for differen t a gricu ltu ra l pra ctices to in crea s e produ ctivity. Efforts a re m a kin g to in trodu ce s im ple m ech a n ica l device s u ita ble for h ill terra ces to brin g a bou t im provem en t in fa rm opera tion s. More em ph a s is is n eeded on th e pos t h a rves t proces s in g of fa rm produce. Land development: For th e con s erva tion of s oil, pla n t n u trien t a n d s oil m ois tu re a t optim u m level, th orou gh la n d developm en t p rogra m m e s h ou ld be undertaken with the participation of local farmers. Strengthening of the existing Government Farms The exis tin g govern m en t fa rm s n eed to be s tren gth en ed for con du ctin g Ada ptive tria ls a n d res ea rch works a n d for tes tin g n ew tech n ologies before ta kin g it to th e fa rm ers. Govern m en t fa rm s will pla y a n im porta n t role in th e produ ction of fou n da tion s eed a n d certified s eeds a n d will con du ct va riou s dem on s tra tion s. It will a ct a s a Tra in in g Centre for the area covered by it. Large Scale Demonstration: Packa ge tech n ology in volvin g HYV, orga n ic fertilizers a n d IPM s h ou ld be dem on s tra ted on a la rge s ca le. Th e m a in em ph a s is will be given on orga n ic cu ltiva tion b y th e u se of va riou s orga n ic m a n u res a n d fertilizers like vermi- compost, EM compost etc. Development of Human Resource: Developm en t of Hu m a n res ou rce will be don e by regu la r training of farmers, Field functionaries and Specialists. 7

8 Strengthening of Data Base Under taking High Yielding Varieties: Sin ce High Yieldin g a n d im proved va rieties pla y a pivota l role in a ch ievin g in crea s ed produ ctivity a n d produ ction, th e n eed to in trodu ce High Yieldin g Va rieties s u ita ble for orga n ic fa rm in g a n d a ls o promoting local and developed varieties is seen. Emphasizing Compost development : To m a ke bes t u s e of the farm waste, rural compos tin g th rou gh EM tech n ology n eeds to b e en cou ra ged. Verm i- com pos tin g to be popularized too. Adoption of economic practices: In tercroppin g with legu m es a n d green m a n u rin g crops for econ om ic pu rpos e a s well a s im provin g th e s oil con dition to be given prior importance. Use of Bio-fertilizers: Applica tion of bio-fertilizers s h ou ld be prom oted on a la rge scale. Introduction of IPM: Prior im porta n ce need to be given for a doption of In tegra ted Pes t Ma n a gem en t s in ce th e s ta te h a s been decla red Orga n ic. Chemical control of diseases and pest is to be replaced by Bio-pesticides. Soil Amendment: To im prove s oil h ea lth, s oil tes tin g a n d n eces s a ry m ea s u res of soil amendments should be taken up. 8

9 Seed Production and Certification: Th e s eed requ irem en t of th e Sta te is bein g fu lfilled to s om e exten t from ou ts ide s ou rces. Th e s u pply of requ is ite qu a n tity of s eeds to the farmers of the state taken from outside sources is not feasible due to h igh cos t, h en ce th ere is a grea t n eed for produ ction a n d certifica tion of s eeds with in th e Sta te to m eet th e d om es tic requ irem en t of th e Sta te. Sim u lta n eou s ly em ph a s is s h ou ld be given to s eed proces s in g a n d s eed testing for quality seed production. Soil Conservation Measures: Ou t of th e tota l cu ltiva ted la n d in th e s ta te n ea rly % of th e la n d is fou n d to be u n der terra ced cu ltiva tion a n d th e rem a in in g % of la n d is bein g cu ltiva ted with ou t a n y s oil con s erva tion trea tm en t. Th es e u n trea ted la n d n eeds to be brou gh t u n der s u ita ble s oil conservation treatments depending on the soil depth and land capability cla s s es. Ben ch Terra cin g followed by recla m a tion of s oil to con s erve s oil a n d s oil m ois tu re s h ou ld be ta ken u p. Biologica l con s erva tion m eth ods should be adopted where bench terracing are not applicable. Multiple cropping systems: Multiple cropping by way of mixed cropping, intercropping and rela y croppin g pra ctices n eeds to be popu la rized to in crea s e fa rm income. 9

10 ANNUAL PLAN FOR A. CROP HUSBANDRY ( AGRICULTURE ) 1. Direction and Administration: Rs. 80 lakhs. 2. High Yielding Varieties Programme: Rs. 80 lakhs. Th e objective of th is progra m m e is to in trodu ce a n d prom ote n ew h igh yieldin g a n d im proved va rieties of differen t crops in th e Sta te a n d to in crea s e th e a rea u n der th e va rieties s u ita ble for orga n ic fa rm in g and to maintain the high seed replacement ratio of different crops. 3. Seed Multiplication and distribution : Rs. 100 lakhs Produ ction a n d dis tribu tion of im proved s eeds of field crops con s titu te th e prim a ry a ctivity of a gricu ltu re developm en t. Th e m a in objective is to produ ce qu a lity s eeds a n d th eir tim ely s u pply to th e fa rm ers. Th e s ch em e h a s va riou s com pon en ts like s eed produ ction, testing, certification, storage and distribution. 4. Agriculture Farm: Rs. 400 lakhs. Th e loca tion of th e govern m en t fa rm s a re in differen t a gro clim a tic region s a n d s u b region s. Th e m a in objective of th es e fa rm s a re multiplica tion a n d produ ction of fou n da tion a n d certified s eeds, con du ction of a da ptive tria ls a n d dem on s tra tion of th e la tes t crop production technology for adoption in the farmer s field. Two government farms Na zita m a n d Mellida ra h a ve been con verted to Cen ter of Excellen ce in orga n ic fa rm in g s ys tem wh erein produ ction a n d tria ls of various organic manures and products will be conducted. 10

11 5. Manure & Fertilizer: Rs. 50 lakhs After th e decla ra tion of th e Sta te a s a n Orga n ic Sta te s u bsidy on ch em ica l fertilizers h a ve been dis cou ra ged. Orga n ic cu ltiva tion h a s been ta ken u p repla cin g a ll ch em ica l fertilizers by oth er orga n ic m ea n s to fulfill the plant nutrient requirement. 6. Organic Farming : Rs. 250 lakhs. Th is in clu des dem on s tra tion s on orga n ic fertilizers a n d s oil con dition ers, EM tech n ology a n d produ ction of orga n ic m a n u res, composts and bio fertilizers. 7. Plant Protection : Rs. 30 lakhs Us e of dis ea s e a n d pes t res is ta n t va rieties a re bein g grown. Bio a gen ts produ ced in th e IPM la b. a re bein g relea s ed in th e fields to con trol th e pes t a tta ck. IPM tech n ology is bein g pra cticed to repla ce ch em ica l pes ticides. Th e u s e of bio pes ticides a n d oth er orga n ic alternatives are being taken up in the State. 8. Extension & Training : Rs.200 lakhs. Tra n s fer of la tes t tech n ology to th e fa rm ers by providin g tra in in g, con du ctin g field days, exh ibition s a n d dis tribu tion of tra in in g materia l, litera tu res a re th e m a in objective of th is s ch em e. Besides Ca pa city bu ildin g of th e officia ls to u pda te tech n ica l kn owledge is a ls o equally important. 9. Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation : Rs.5.00 lakhs. 10. Agriculture Engineering : Rs. 5 0 lakhs. Mech a n ized s ys tem of fa rm in g by in trodu cin g la tes t im proved m a ch in es in th e field a n d pos t h a rves t opera tion s will be ta ken u p. Dis tribu tion of im proved tools a n d im plem en ts to m a k e a gricu ltu re opera tion s ea s ier, strengthening of exis tin g Agro s ervice cen tres in th e govern m en t fa rm s a re a ls o s om e of th e im porta n t com pon en ts u n der this scheme. 11

12 11. Soil Testing : Rs. 100 lakhs Soil tes tin g is es s en tia l to determ in e th e pla n t n u trient requirement. Th is is don e in th e Soil Tes tin g La bora tory by collectin g s a m ples from th e en tire fou r dis tricts of th e Sta te. On th e ba s is of th es e s oil tes ts, recom m en da tion s a re given for ba la n ced u s e of pla n t nutrients Assistance to Panchayati Raj. Rs. 80 lakhs. After the government s decision of de-centralizing power, Block Developm en t Office h a ve been m a de fu n ction a l th is yea r for th e developm en t of th e ru ra l a rea s. To s tren gth en th e in s titu tion a t th e gra s s root level, VLWs, In s pectors a n d officers of th e dept h a ve been a tta ch ed to th e Office of th e Block Developm en t Office. Accordin gly funds will be diverted to the institution National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS): Rs. 1 lakhs RKVY : Rs.1500 lakhs Ra s h triya Kris h i Vika s Yojn a (RKVY) th e s ch em e h a s been la u n ch ed in th e s ta te from la s t yea r( ).du rin g th is yea r th e Com preh en s ive Dis trict Agricu ltu re Pla n h a s been prepa red a n d th e project for both Strea m I & II a re bein g ca rried ou t in th e s ta te. Th e RKVY aims at achieving 4% annual growth in the Agricu ltu re Sector du rin g XI pla n period by en cou ra gin g h olis tic development of Agriculture and allied sector. Th is is a s ta te pla n s ch em e. Th e eligibility for a s s is ta n ce u n der th e s ch em e wou ld depen d u pon th e a m ou n t provided in th e Sta te Pla n Budget for Agriculture and allied sectors. 15. Tribal Sub Plan and Schedule Caste Sub Plan : Rs 260 lakhs. This programme is bein g im plem en ted by th e depa rtm en t s in ce la s t fin a n cia l yea r Th e a m ou n t requ ired for th e im plem en ta tion of th e va riou s progra m u n der the Triba l Su b Pla n a n d Sch edu le Ca s te Su b Plan Plan has been enmarked for ever year 12

13 B. Soil & Water Conservation: Rs. 160 lakhs. Both th e Na tu ra l Res ou rces n a m ely s oil a n d wa ter, received in a dequ a te a tten tion in pu blic a s well a s in priva te s ector in Sikkim, resulting into s oil a n d wa ter eros ion, la n ds lides / s lips a n d en vironment degra da tion. It h a s becom e iron ic, a n d our available res ou rce h a s not a dequ a tely rega in ed th e s ta tu s of s oil fertility, m ois tu re reten tion ca pa city, soil and water erosion and prevention of ecological balance. Th e va riou s com pon en ts u n der th is in clu de Direction a n d Adm in is tra tion, Soil con s erva tion on a gricu ltu ra l la n d, recla m a tion of acidic soil, water conservation and establishment of nurseries. With th e de cen tra liza tion of power to th e Pa n ch a ya ti Ra j in Sikkim, it h a s becom e prim e n eces s ity to exten d a dm in is tra tive a n d tech n ologica l s u pport to th e dis tricts for Zilla Pa n ch a ya ts, Su b-divisions a n d Gra m Pa n ch a ya t Adm in is tra tive Un its for Gra m Pa n ch a ya ts for sustainable Natural Resources Management. On e of th e m ech a n ica l m ea s u res of s oil con s erva tion is ben ch terra cin g wh ich is given top priority a n d is wid ely a dopted in h igh s teep la n d. Th e progra m m e h elps to preven t ru n -off with h igh velocity, s oil eros ion a n d m ois tu re reten tion etc. Th e s ch em e h elps to brin g a n a ddition a l a rea u n der cu ltiva tion a n d a doption of a gron om ica l m ea s u res a im in g a t in crea s in g per u n it a rea yield of crops with ou t a n y los s of top soil. Recla m a tion of Acidic Soil: Th e s oil of th e Sta te is a cidic wh ich va ries with p H ra n gin g from 4.5 to 5.5. Su ch s oils a re in ju riou s to pla n t growth a n d a dvers ely a ffect th e s oil m icrobia l a ctivities res u ltin g poor crop yield. Th e a cidic s oils h a s to be recla im ed for im provin g th e s oil textu re, s tru ctu re, u pta ke of n u trien t both n a tive a n d a dded th rou gh orga n ic manure and moisture retention capacity. Water Conservation: Ra in wa ter of m on s oon s ea s on a n d peren n ia l s prin g wa ter a re th e s ou rces of wa ter in th e Hilly Sta te like Sikkim. Th e m a in objective of th e progra m m e is to provide wa ter s tora ge th rou gh s u rfa ce ru n -off/ ra in roof wa ter h a rves tin g a n d wa ter h a rves tin g of peren n ia l s prin g wa ter s ou rces for life s a vin g irriga tion to a lim ited a rea, 13

14 drin kin g wa ter for h u m a n bein gs a n d lives tock du rin g dry period. Th ou gh th e Sta te experien ce s u fficien t a n n u a l ra in fa ll, it's erra tic a n d u n even distribution causes water scarcity. The rainfall between November to March is so low and the amount of rainfall is not enough to compensate the loss of s oil m ois tu re th rou gh eva pora tion. Th e los s of s oil wa ter is very h igh th rou gh both percola tion a n d ru n off du e to s teep s lope a n d s a n dy loa m textu re of th e s oil. Th e s ch em e a im s a t con s tru ction of 10,000 litres ca pa city wa ter ta n k th rou gh fa rm er's pa rticipa tion in in dividu a l or community basis. Nurseries: For proper developm en t a n d m a n a gem en t of very steep slopes, landslides/slips area and barren and fallow land, there is a n eed to im plem en t biologica l s oil con s erva tion m ea s u res. In order to m eet u p th e requ irem en t of s eedlin gs of m u ltipu rpos e trees, fodder trees / gra s s es, tim ber trees, fu el trees, fru its, tea etc., produ ction of s eedlin gs in Govern m en t n u rs eries is very es s en tia l for rea dily s u pply during the peak plantation season. C. STORAGE & WAREHOUSING: Rs.60 lakhs. Scien tific Stora ge fa cilities a re proposed to be in crea s ed a s certified seed produ ction progra m m e h a s been ta ken u p in la rge sca le. Th erefore a ddition a l Stora ge fa cility s h a ll be ta k en u p for s torin g of s eeds & oth er agricultural inputs. D. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION: Rs. 60 lakhs. In th is s ch em e a da ptive res ea rch progra m m e a re ta k en u p by in trodu cin g th e s u ita ble va rieties evolved ou ts ide th e s ta te. Th e tria ls a re con du cted for iden tifyin g better va rieties, im proved a gricu ltu ra l in pu ts a n d im proved tech n ologies for th e preva len t a gro-clim a tic con dition s of th e state. Sin ce th ere is a com plete ch a n ge in ou r a gro-fa rm in g s ys tem with th e in trodu ction of Orga n ic Fa rm in g, th ere is u rgen t n eed to iden tify s u ita ble crop va rieties, orga n ic pla n t n u trien ts a n d bio-pes ticides a s well a s to evolve tech n ology s u ita ble to th e loca l con dition. It is, th erefore, required to project higher allocation for the purpose. 14