From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 1: Karnataka has set a target of 135.48 lac tonnes of food grains production for the year 2021-22.
The state’s food grains production was 153.08 lac tonnes during the year 2020-21, which is 10% more than the previous year,
Chief minister B S Yediyurappa, who held a review meeting in preparation of the current year’s agricultural operations in view of the onset of monsoon expected to commence from June 6 or 7 according to the meteorological department, said the government was hopeful of better monsoon and agricultural season.
Karnataka has already received fairly satisfactory pre-monsoon showers, he said.
The meteorological department’s predictions have indicated normal rainfall in 20 districts while 10 districts were likely to get less than normal rains this year.
The chief minister said sufficient fertilizer stocks, agricultural seeds were available and problems in the supply of DAP fertilisers have also been sorted out. Arrangements for ensuring the availability of farm equipment and machinery have also been made at the village level.
Farmers have been provided with 16% more agricultural loans than in 2020-21, he said adding the target for disbursement of farm loans has been fixed at Rs 21,000 crore this year.
The chief minister said the state government was fully geared to face any floods and the dangers to people. NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept on the alert and all deputy commissioners have been asked to be ready to meet any adverse situation, Yediyurappa said.
Deputy chief minister, Govind M Karjol, agriculture minister, BC Patil, cooperation minister, S T Somashekar, horticulture minister, Shankar, Agriculture Prices Commission chairman, Hanumanagouda Belakurki, chief minister’s additional chief secretary, Dr EV Ramana Reddy, additional chief secretary and development commissioner, Vandita Sharma, horticulture department commissioner, Rajendra Kumar Kataria and other senior officials participated in the review meeting.
Earlier, the chief minister released the handbook brought out by the state horticulture department.