Proceedings of the meeting held on 23-04-2014 under the chairmanship of Secretary, Agril. & co-operation, Govt. of India, to review the Crop Development Programmes for 2014-15 Principal Secretary, Agriculture welcomed all the dignitaries and guests and briefed about the meeting. Director of Agriculture in the beginning briefed about the agriculture scenario in Karnataka. He also presented detailed information regarding Crop calendar, Positioning of inputs such as seeds & fertilizers, Seed Rolling Plan, Contingency plan. There was a detailed presentation on status of approval of action plans of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Agriculture & Horticulture and Extension support through ATMA and co-ordination of KVKs. Representative of Agriculture Marketing Department explained about procurement arrangement for kharif marketing season. Convener, SLBC,Syndicate Bank, briefed about status of agriculture farmers. credit given to Representative of Water Resource & Energy Department presented the information on Canal Irrigation & power Supply position in the State. Vice Chancellor/ Scientists from State Agriculture/ Horticulture Universities presented New Initiatives taken up in their Universities. Principal Secretary to Govt., Agriculture, Govt. of Karnataka, presented the information on the New Initiatives taken up by Government. During and after presentation there was thorough interaction and discussion. Secretary (DAC) & Senior Officers from GOI in their concluding remarks flaged the following points: Cropping Intensity has reduced from 128.93 lakh ha.(124%) during 2007-08 to 120.59 lakh ha (121%) during 2011-12. Whereas net irrigated area has increased from 31.32 lakh ha (30%) during 2007-08 to 34.40 lakh ha (35%) during 2011-12.
The average land holding was around 3.20 hectares in 1970 and this has declined to 1.63 hectare in 2005 and further to 1.55 hectares in 2010-11. According to the study on "Cost of Cultivation and Farm income" by Prof. Abhijit Sen the required economic size for Karnataka State is 2.56 hectares. Small and marginal holdings account for 76% of total holdings and operate only 40% of the total operated area, while semi-medium, medium and large holdings account for 24% of the total holdings and operate 60% of the total operated area. State Agriculture Universities should focus on production of breeder seeds. SAUsshould see that Foundation Seeds are easily available, especially in the places where demonstrations are taken up. Karnataka should focus on quality seed production to meet the requirement as per seed rolling plan submitted to GOL It is necessary to focus on seed village concept programme involving latest released varieties under different crops suitable to the State more emphasis to be given for Gr.nut. Both, Hybrids/ Varieties to be promoted in Bajra. State can stop subsidizing varieties which are old or not suitable. State to closely watch for Soyabean seed supply for current season. Karnataka State Seeds Corporation (KSSC)is paying only 70% of total amount at the time of procurement, to the seed producers. Instead there is need to pay attention to make the full payment. Strengthening of KVK/ Horticulture farms is very much essential so that they are able to take up seed production programme that would meet the requirement of the State & to some extent neighbouring States. In Karnataka, climatic conditions are favorable to most of the crops and hence State can choose and recommend zone-wise - suitable cropping pattern. Sustainable soil fertility and productivity should :be given priority for production, for which State Govt. should take up systematic programme to
improve soil fertility status by taking advantage of subsidies of different State & Central Govt. schemes. More publicity and propaganda programmes are to be undertaken to educate the farmers for application of fertilizers based on soil test results. Water is key biological component that playa vital role in production. Unless water is made available to farmer, any other input subsidy given to him will go waste. Water allowance assessment should be made and water management should be integrated with Sprinkler/ Drip irrigation System. Karnataka has 6 Universities (Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Veterinary) of which 2 are well established. They can concentrate on development of short duration varieties and especially varieties that are suitable for High Density Planting in Cotton. Adequate research on varieties suitable for High Density Planting in Bt.cotton/ Non Bt. Cotton is required. Innovative components like Hydrogel and Polymers developed under Nano technology may be tried under demonstrations. Procurement through FPOscan be tried in the State. Measures may be taken for stabilization of MSP in case of pulses. All the demonstrations are to be laid out with scientific technology backstopping from University. Presentation should be systematic with check plot data also. GOI complimented Department of Agriculture for the activities taken up in Pigeon pea programme.. Rainfed agriculture has lot of scope for inter cropping, where in short duration crops can be taken up. Direct planting method in Rice needs to be promoted. The Crop Cutting Estimation(CCE) results needs to be closely monitored. In some situations CCE results are lesser than the actual especially when compared to those attained in Bhoo-chetana plots. Hence dedicated staff for CCEis required and attempts in this regard to be done by the Department. For correct assessment cross verification of Data needs to be done. Possibility of using services of Remote Sensingshould also be explored.
Karnataka has performed well in cereals. Whereas in pulses the productivity gap is more, this is of great concern of the Department. Crop wise Agriculture strategy has to be developed. Focus of area is to maximize delivery system, sustainability in input management and credit flow. Dissemination of practices is very poor, which can be improved by tapping SAUs, assuring suitability of various crops. Farmers can get timely information regarding Agriculture and allied subjects through Raita Sahayavani Kendra (Farmers Helpline Centre), Kissan SMS Portal, Agriculture Programmes through Dooordarshan and AIR, Extension Lilterature Publication, PressReleasesand Interactive website facility. RAWE programme which is doing well can be integrated with Dept. of Agriculture to strengthen Extension network. In this regard the students graduating from Agriculture/ Horticulture Universities will be deputed for 3 months to RSKsto acquire minimum practical skills, field experience and knowledge. As regards marketing is concerned, good work is being done that can be continued without getting back. If there are any problems, Govt. may intervene. Under Krishi Bhagya Scheme the Zydex- polymer can be tested with the Zydex Company. Information from National Ground water Remote sensing Agency- Mapping can be utilized while framing the guidelines of the scheme. The State to retain portion of RKVYgrants for contingency plan in case of anticipated aberrant weather conditions. Grants can also be utilized for national Mission on Micro Irrigation following the guidelines of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). Under RKVY,the implementing Depts/ Institutions to restrict the project proposals to 5-6 nos. based on the State priorities for visible impact. SAUsto
focus on Research and Development activities like soil fertility studies} development of short duration varieties} productivity enhancement on Cereals} Pulses & Oilseeds in their project proposals. The capping of subsidy to 25% of total project cost under RKVY to be kept for Infra structure & Assets components but that will not be applicable to Govt. Institutions (100% subsidy permissible for Govt. Institutions) The programmes approved / revalidated amount under RKVYduring 2013-14 need to be implemented as per previous guidelines. Funds for contractual services} transport} fuel & consumables to be discussed in SLSC. New varieties which are recommended by State Varietal Release Committee and pending for notification may be included. Incase posts sanctioned under ISOPOM} details need to be submitted to GOL State Govt. to document new Initiatives and success stories For internalizing ATMA project} there is need to position full fledged Govt. Officials for the post of PD/DPDs at District level and also need for more convergence between KVKsand Departments. New initiatives taken up by the Department of Agriculture like K-KISAN (Karnataka Krishi Information Service and Networking) and CHSC(Custom Hiring & Service Centre) were briefed. Functioning} usefulness} effect and impact of the programmes to be brought to the notice of GOL Meeting concluded with vote of Thanks by Commissioner a~for Agriculture. Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner