Centre hikes farm funds for Kerala
For agricultural education, the increase is from Rs 1.60 crore to Rs 8 crore.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh has said that the centre had hiked the allocation for frontline agricultural extension activities and education in Kerala. He was laying the foundation for a new Farmers’ Facilitation Centre (FFC) at the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) at Sreekaryam here. He said that in place of Rs 12 crore allotted for agriculture extension during 2014-15, Rs 24 crore had been earmarked in 2015-16.
For agricultural education, the increase is from Rs 1.60 crore to Rs 8 crore. He urged the state government to fully utilise the central aid by ensuring effective cooperation of state agricultural offices at village level and Krishi Vigyan Kendras established by the centre. Mr. Singh also pointed out that agriculture production and productivity can be increased only through micro- irrigation, production of quality seedlings and value addition of agricultural produce which will ultimately bring more income to the farmers.
The Farmers Facilitation Centre is intended to serve as a single window for the tuber crop farmers who visit CTCRI for various purposes such as quality planting materials, tubers, value-added products, bio-pesticides, customers’ fertilisers and other products. Besides, there will be farmers’ rest rooms, parking facility and an ATM counter. The minister who reviewed the working of CTCRI also addressed the scientists, employees and farmers. CTCRI director James George presided over the function.