Punjab to implement Rs 217-cr projects under agri scheme

The Punjab government has prepared a blueprint to implement projects at a cost of nearly Rs 217 crore under the centrally-sponsored Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to give a boost to its diversification plan in the agriculture sector.

The Punjab government has prepared a blueprint to implement projects at a cost of nearly Rs 217 crore under the centrally-sponsored Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to give a boost to its diversification plan in the agriculture sector.

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A decision to this effect was taken by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal at a meeting here with senior officials from the departments of agriculture, soil conservation, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries and horticulture, a spokesman said.

Badal constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the financial commissioner development (FCD) with director agriculture and Markfed managing director as its members to find out ways and means for the purchase of fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides directly from companies and making these available to farmers at affordable rates.

The CM also formed a committee headed by the Punjab Farmers' Commission chairman and including the FCD and Punjab Agricultural University vice-chancellor to identify high-yielding varieties of maize initially to be sown over 50,000 hectares as part of the crop diversification programme.

Badal also asked the officers to work for setting up farmers' training schools at various district headquarters.