Thiruvananthapuram: The budget for 2019-20 has come up with a Rs 2,500-crore comprehensive plan to rejuvenate the agriculture sector which bore the brunt of the floods. Of this, Rs. 167 crore has been earmarked for crops while Rs 71 crore will be spent on vegetable development.
"Special financial aid will be provided to best 'A grade' clusters. Block-level federations will be formed to co-ordinate block level clusters. Professionals from IRMA will be engaged for the effective functioning of vegetable producer companies," Dr T.M. Thomas Isaac said in his budget speech.
Rs 70 crore has been earmarked for increasing the production of coconuts under Keragramam project which will also ensure scientific care of coconut trees. "Every year 10 lakh coconut seedlings will be planted under the aegis of Kerala Coconut Council. The price of the coconut will be transferred online to the bank accounts of the farmers at the time of collecting coconuts from the field," Dr Isaac said.
Money has been earmarked for issuing soil health cards (Rs 29 crore), to making available good quality seeds and seedlings (Rs 25 crore) extension activities (Rs 45 crore) and for agro service centres (Rs 25 crore).
Kole fields in Thrissur and Ponnani and the agriculture fields in Palakkad will be developed at a cost of Rs. 56 crore, earmarked from RIDF to Kerala Land Development Corporation. Kerala Agricultural University will get Rs 83 crore.
Rs 20 crore is earmarked for starting three rice parks of international standards at Palakkad, Thrissur and Alappuzha. The outlay for paddy cultivation is Rs 91 crore. Rs. 500 crore is earmarked for the support price of Rubber.
Explaining the source of funds, the minister said Rs. 282 crore will be made available from centrally-sponsored schemes, Rs. 200 crore from externally aided projects and Rs 1,000 crore from the schemes of local self government institutions.
Farmer first
- Professionals from IRMA to be consultants
- Rs 70 crore for Keragramam
- 10 lakh coconut seedlings will be planted every year
- Rs 91 crore for paddy cultivation
