BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to popularise hybrid variety of paddy seeds, the Government on Saturday directed the Agriculture Department to prepare an action plan for production of quality seeds under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). A technical committee, consisting of scientists from OUAT and technical officers from the Department, in a report to the State Government has said hybrid varieties of seeds are suitable for agro-climatic conditions of the State. Good varieties of hybrid seeds should be made available to farmers and extension officers of the Department should explain to the farmers which variety of seeds is suitable to soil conditions of respective agro-climatic zones, the committee said. The State-level sanctioning committee, headed by Chief Secretary BK Patnaik, on Saturday reviewed the progress achieved under RKVY since its in 2007-08. It has been further suggested by the committee to use Rajiv Seva Kendras (common service centres) for creating awareness among the farmers about the use of high- yielding varieties of seeds and shifting from traditional methods to farm mechanisation through audio-visuals. Director, Agriculture Production, Santha Gopalan, reportedly informed the meeting that soil mapping for major and micro nutrients will be completed by August 12. The Chief Secretary asked the Agriculture Department to take the help of OUAT scientists to conduct a scientific study on the use of fly ash in the treatment of soil acidity and development of degraded soil. The meeting was told that the mobile veterinary health units, launched on pilot basis in a few blocks, have been widely accepted. Considering the demand of the people, the State-level sanctioning committee on Saturday decided to extend the facility to 105 blocks in the next financial year. The meeting further decided to pilot sea weed culture as an alternative livelihood option for marine fishermen. Olive cultivation will also be piloted in specific areas of Keonjhar and Kandhamal districts. The meeting revealed that the State has so far received Rs 894 crore from the Centre under RKVY and the utilisation of funds is total. The Central allocation to the State in 2007-08 was Rs 36.6 crore, Rs 115 crore in 2008-09, Rs 121 crore in 2009-10 and Rs 274 crore in 2010-11. In the current financial year, the State Government received Rs 347 crore and by the end of December Rs 149 crore was utilised. Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture GC Pati, joint advisor to the Planning Commission Vandana Dwivedi and joint secretary and Department of Animal Husbandry Sanjay Bhoosreddy attended the meeting.
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