Farming ‘hotspots’ to be studied

The Govt will undertake a pilot project in identified "hot spots" to evolve a composite package of farming practices and inputs based on soil quality and water availability mapping, reports Srinand Jha.

THE MINISTRIES of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences will undertake a pilot project in identified "hot spots" to evolve a composite package of farming practices and inputs based on soil quality and water availability mapping. This would possibly be the Vidarbha region.

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The ministries have also announced time-bound measures to realise the Agriculture ministry's targeted growth of four per cent for the 11th plan period.

By year-end, a comprehensive agro information portal will be operationalised and a real time crop health and productivity assessment and management platform will also be put in place, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said.

The portal will be available in several local languages.

By next June, the agro met advisory service is targeted to be operationalised. Presently, the service is available in 120 zones in the country (each zone comprising about five districts).

With Science and Technology Secretary as chairperson, a task force has also been set up to facilitate and periodically monitor identified programs.