All facilities provided for debt relief panel: Minister
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Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran said on Wednesday that the Government had provided all facilities needed by the State Farmers’ Debt Relief Commission. Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for Agriculture in the Assembly, the Minister said that necessary staff had been sanctioned on June 26. Orders on wages and service conditions of the members were issued on Tuesday. Mr. Ratnakaran announced that the Agriculture Department would carry out a Rs.40-crore project for agriculture development in Wayanad district. The Pulpally panchayat in the district, where 53 farmers had committed suicide, would be adopted by the Kerala Agricultural University for development. He announced that paddy fields in Kuttanad, Palakkad and Thrissur kole lands would be declared as special protected zone. The farmers there would be given special benefits, including interest free loans. The Government and the Cooperatives would subsidise the loans. He said that the Government had written to the Union Agriculture Minister against the approval given by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee for cultivation of genetically modified rice in Palakkad district. He announced that a model coconut farm each would be set up in 600 panchayats. Assistance would be given for intercropping in coconut farmers. Steps would be taken for procurement of coconuts at least from the northern districts in the coming season. A Rs.18-crore project would be taken up for organic farming. Wagamon would soon have a dairy science college named after former President K. R. Narayanan. After the Minister’s reply, the House granted the amount sought for Agriculture. |