Plan to grow three crops a year in Srikakulam district

SRIKAKULAM, May 12, 2018 00:47 IST

Updated: May 12, 2018 00:47 IST

Officials finalise agriculture action plan for the year 2018-19

For the first time in the history of Srikakulam district, the government planned to encourage farmers to grow three crops a year with the effective utilisation of water resources in the district.

District Collector K. Dhananjaya Reddy and Srikakulam Joint Director of Agriculture Department G. Ramarao and other senior officials finalised the action plan for the kharif season which is being advanced this year to facilitate sowing of crops early in rabi season and the third crop in the next March and April.

As Vamsadhara phase-2 project is likely to be completed by June, 2018, more water is expected to available this year. Sowing will take place in 2.4 lakh hectares during the kharif season and yielding is expected to be more with the supply of assured water for tail-end areas too. As per the action plan, agriculture activity will take place in more than two lakh hectares in rabi season too followed by the third crop in selected areas.

“The overall income is expected to be ₹2,346 crore in the year 2018-19 as against ₹1,634 crore in the year 2017-18. With the suggestion from Mr. Dhananjaya Reddy, we are trying to ensure at least ₹10,000 income per month to each villager. It may be more than the target if farmers are willing to go grow commercial crops since paddy does not ensure much income,” said Mr.Ramarao while speaking to The Hindu.

Early water release

“Irrigation Department used to release water from reservoirs in the second week of July. But the water will be released from the June first week itself as part of advancement of season. It will certainly pave the way for growing third crop too. Wide publicity is being given for the benefits of crop diversification. Water consumption will be less if farmers opt to grow maize, red gram and other crops instead of paddy. Many minute points are being included in our action plan,” he added.

The Agriculture Department informed the bankers about the advancement of agriculture season while requesting them to meet the credit needs of farmers in the district. It has also urged them to provide loans to tenant farmers also.