Kochi: The state agriculture department has urged all the officials under it to extend the activities of the department through the social media to enhance the productivity and profitability of farming. The government also sanctioned Rs 1.27 crore for social media integration with Karshaka Vivara Sanketham project.
All the farmers registered with the department will have to maintain a social media account to be in touch with the local Krishi Bhavan.
The plan is to equip 300 e-panchayats for farming in the initial stage. The government has mandated that all agricultural officers should have active Facebook accounts.
In an order numbered 1864/15/AD passed on November 5, the government also urged the officials to bring maximum registered farmers to the social media.
In case of farmers who are not proficient in digital technologies and social media sites, the lead farmer from the group would get incentives for helping others.
Rs 1.07 crore has been earmarked only for such incentives for lead farmers. These lead farmers of Padasekaharasamithi (clusters) should share good agricultural practices and success stories with other farmers of the group and for Krishi Bhavan.
The order issued by Mr M. Ayyappan Kurukkal, additional secretary, also announced incentives for agriculture offices for using the social media.
The winner will get Rs 25,000 for the best office in the state. The department has also announced Rs 25,000 prize money for agriculture-related mobile apps.
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