Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): The state government has been encouraging farmers to go for crop diversification in areas where mega lift irrigation is undertaken, with an aim to help them earn more.
Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra recently held a meeting to review the progress of crop diversification. He asked the officials concerned to enhance non-paddy cultivation like vegetables, pulses, ragi, maize, sugarcane, cotton and groundnut in points of mega lift irrigation during the ensuing kharif season, an official statement said.
In the meeting, the officials also said there was potential of non-paddy cultivation in more than 70% of the mega lift irrigation point ayacut areas.
Besides, the chief secretary directed the agriculture department to explore different marketing facilities of non-paddy products through e-NAM, Markfed and online marketing platforms, both in the government and private sectors.
A district-wise target was set to promote non-paddy cultivation based on agro-climactic zone.
(Sources: Times of India)
