DK plans Kerala model to revive paddy cultivation area

DHNS

• Dakshina Kannada, which was once known for paddy cultivation, has lost a considerable cultivable area in recent years.

 

Mangalore, 17 July 2011: To revive paddy cultivation in the district, the department has prepared proposal on Kerala model of incentives for paddy in Dakshina Kannada and the same has been submitted to the Agriculture Commissioner. The estimated cost of the proposal is Rs 851.75 lakh.

 

According to records of Agriculture department, between 1999-2000 and 2010-11, about 5,883 hectare area under paddy cultivation has been lost.

 

The area under paddy cultivation had come down to 32,408 hectares in 2010-11. It was 32,934 hectare in 2007-08. The area under paddy cultivation was 36,364 in 1996-97. The conversion of land for non-agricultural purposes and farmers shifting from paddy to horticultural crops were responsible for this decline.

 

In Kerala, macro management of agricultural work plan, food security project—support for upland rice production, scheme on fallow land cultivation of rice by women groups and sustainable development of rice based farming system are followed to encourage paddy cultivation.

 

To provide incentives to paddy farmers in Dakshina Kannada, the proposed plan aims at filling the vacancies in Raitha Samparka Kendra and setting up of a Krishi Bhavana in every Gram Panchayat limits.

 

It has been decided to form a group consisting five paddy growers at the Gram Panchayat level and implement the scheme.

 

To support upland rice production, it has been proposed to provide incentive of Rs 5,000 per hectare.

 

The incentive must be utilised for the purchase of farm implements. The incentives can be given to individual farmers/Self-Help Groups. If women groups come forward to grow paddy in fallow land, then incentive of Rs 10,000 will be given.

 

In Kerala, women groups who develop paddy nursery in half acre are given Rs 5,000. To implement similar scheme in Dakshina Kannada, the department will have to supply one quintal paddy seeds at the cost of Rs 2,500.

 

To help those farmers who have stopped growing paddy for the last three years, it has been proposed to provide incentive of Rs 5,000 per hectare.

 

In Kerala, for the sustainable development of rice based farming system, incentives are paid. Incentive of Rs 2,500 will be given for one hectare for those who grow paddy.

 

The farmers can purchase farm equipment for the second crop from the incentive. An incentive of Rs 5,000 will be paid to those who grow paddy in front of house and terrace.