TAD NewsDesk, New Delhi: The Directorate of Horticulture has appealed through a revised proposition to seek financial assistance to dig 730 farm ponds for the farmers. It is a measure sought to address the drought problem in 10 districts. The directorate has sought an assistance of Rs 5.47 crore from the National Disaster Management Fund for district-level drought mitigation as per the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission.
RK Lenka, Director of Horticulture said,
“There is provision of 50 per cent assistance for digging of farm pond under MIDH to all types of farmers which is not sufficient to cater to the demand of farmers in drought prone districts. So, it is proposed to provide catalytic assistance to the horticulture farmers of 10 successive drought prone districts of Odisha.”
He added that the following areas will be covered under the scheme for the project:
- Balangir
- Kalahandi
- Nuapada
- Nabarangpur
- Rayagada
- Koraput
- Gajapati
- Sundargarh
- Jharsuguda
- Mayurbhanj
The state of Orissa is blessed with an agro-climatic diversity and high rainfall distributed over a four months monsoon period and a reasonably moderate winter period. The following horticultural and fruit crops along with spices are available in the state,
- Mango
- Litchi
- Guava
- Oranges
- Lime
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Papaya
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Chilly, a variety of root and tubers
- A whole range of different vegetables
The 15th Finance Commission has marked an assistance of Rs 20 crore each to 12 most drought-prone states including Odisha for preparing district-level drought mitigation plans. A beneficiary will be provided Rs 75,000 assistance for farm pond under the scheme. Earlier, the directorate had sought catalytic assistance of Rs 11.25 crore for digging 1,500 farm ponds in these districts.
This pond scheme will benefit the farmers of Orissa and would mark a safe from drought cultivation hopefully. The Directorate of horticulture has pursued the issue of releasing the fund with the government and is persisting upon it to get the same for the farmers.
Source: The Indian Express
