Programmes and Schemes

          

QUALITY SEED MULTIPLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION: Department owns 22 Seed Multiplication Farms where Foundation Seeds of Kharif and Rabi crops are produced. Annually about 3500 to 4000 qtls. seed of Cereals , Pulses and Vegetables are produced. Further about 1,00,000 quintals of Certified Seeds of various crops are distributed to the farmers in the State.
SOIL TESTING: Department has 11 Soil Testing Labs besides 3 Mobile Soil Testing Labs to provide free soil testing facilities to the farmers. About 1,25,000 No's sample are analyzed annually.
CROP PROTECTION: The Department exercise vigil on Pest situation .To overcome this, about 160-168 M.T of pesticides through Departmental Sale Outlets are being supplied to the farmers. For quality control pesticide testing laboratory has been set up with a analysing capacity of 500 samples per year . One Bio Control Laboratory has been set yp at Palampur where conservation pest situation augmentation, rearing and multiplication of bio-agents and training to extension staff and farmers are being done. The plant protection material including equipments are supplied to the SCs/ STs/ IRDP families and farmers of the backward areas at 50% cost.
SEED POTATO DEVELOPMENT: The Department owns 13 Potato Development Stations where Foundation Seed Potato is produced. More area is being diversified towards cash crops and market maximum potato as table produce only that much seed potato which can easily be marketed outside the State.
VEGETABLES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Annually about 11.00 lac tonnes of fresh vegetables are produced. The Department owns three Vegetable Seed Farms where Quality Seed is produced.
GINGER DEVELOPMENT:  For production of disease free Ginger, the Department is providing Training, Demonstrations and Quality Seed. Annually about 35,000 tones of Green Ginger is produced which is marketed to the neighbouring States. The Department owns two Ginger Farms where Quality Seed is produced.
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING: This is regulated in the State through new APMC Act, The H.P.Agricultural and Horticultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2005. At present, 10 Market Committees are functioning and 48 markets have been made functional. Market fee @ 1% is levied on buyers. Information on daily market rates is also disseminated through All India Radio/ Doordarshan/ Agrimarknet.
FARMERS TRAININGS & EDUCATION: The Department runs two Training Centers one at, Mashobra, District Shimla and other at Sundernagar, District Mandi. Besides this farmers training camps are organized at Village, Block and District level.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS: Under this programme, three Centrally Sponsored Schemes viz. (i) Timely Reporting Schemes (TRS) for estimation of area and production of crops (ii) Improvement of Crop Statistics (ICS) for bringing quality in the land record data at grass root level and (iii) Estimation of Production of Commercial crops like Potato and Ginger. The estimation is done accordingly to ststistical techniques. Production estimates on principal crops like Wheat, Barley of Rabi season and Maize, Paddy, Potato and Ginger crops of Kharif are released on the basis of results of crop cutting experiments conducted accordingly Random Sampling Method. The Director of Land Records is the agency in the State responsible for collection and release of area estimates, forcast report etc.
TEA DEVELOPMENT: Total area under Tea is 2,312 hectares. The Deaprtment is disseminating the latest production technology of tea cultivation to the tea growers.
RASHTRIYA KRISHI BIMA YOJNA (RKBY): The State Government has adopted this Scheme from Rabi 1999-2000 season . Crops covered are Wheat, Barley , Maize, Paddy and Potato. 50% subsidy in premium was allowed to small and marginal farmers on sunset basis. The scheme is compulsory for loanee farmers and optional for non-loanee farmers. The scheme provides comprehensive risk insurance against yield losses viz. drought, hailstorm, floods and pests disease etc. The Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AICI) is implementing the scheme. The farmers of the State can get benefit out of this programme. State and Government of India share the losses equally. The subsudy on premium has been raised from 10% to 50% to small and marginal farmers. From Kharif, 2008 season, Ginger crop of District Sirmour has also been taken up on Pilot basis for coverage under the Crop Insurance Scheme. Besides this, Tomato and Potato in Solan and Kangra/ Una respectively have been covered under Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS).

 

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND (RIDF) : The Department of Agriculture is participating in RIDF for creation of irrigation potential through minor irrigation/ WHS. The Department got funds under RIDF-V during 1999-2000 where NABARD sanctioned 157 FIS amounting to Rs.14.85 crores which has created irrigationpotential of 3,560 hectare. These schemes are being executed through Water Users Associations who will also maintain them after theirb completion. Under RIDF-VI, 140 flow irrigation schemes were posed to NABARD which have been sanctioned for Rs.11.37 crores covereing an area of 3,031 hectare. Under RIDF-VII, 126 schemes worth Rs.7.84 crores have been sanctioned, whichj will create CCA of 2,395 hectare. Besides, 90 water harvesting projects have been sanctioned for Hamirpur, under RIDF-VII with cost of Rs.6.78 crores. Under RIDF-IX, 200 minor irrigation schemes amounting to Rs.8.32 crores have been executed creating CCA 7,161 hectares. Under RIDF-XII, 150 minor irrigation schemes amounting to Rs.9.01 crores have been executed creating CCA 1333.62 hectare during 2006-2007. During the year 2007-2008, an amount of Rs.9.58 crorers has been incurred creating CCA 1821.71 hectares. During 2008-2009, an amount of Rs.12.00 crores have been incurred be creating CCA 1104.22 hectare. During 2009-2010 an amount of Rs.7.50 crores has been proposed for minor irrigation/ water harvesting projects.
PANDIT DEEN DAYAL KISAN BAGWAN SAMRIDHI YOJNA: The Department of Agriculture has launched Pt.Deen Dayal Kisan Bagwan Samiridhi Yojna with the assistance of NABARD under RIDF-XIV Tranche. The project is being implemented in all District of the State with an outlay of Rs.353.01 Crores. This project comprises two parts i.e. Production of cash crops through adoption of precision farming practices through poly house cultivation for Rs.154.92 Crores and Project on Diversification of Agriculture through Micro-Irrigation and other related infrastructure for Rs.198.08 Crores. The detailed guidelines are available in the web site. For poly house and micro irrigation 80% subsidy is available, whereas, for creation of water source 50% subsidy is available. This project has been launched in January, 2009 and the project period is 4 years. During the year 2009-2010 against the target of 48.88 ha. Polyhouses has been constructed in 55.02 ha. of covered area and assistance of Rs.24.24 crore has been released to the farmers on account of construction of 4,796 No's of Polyhouses under Part-I of the project. Under Part-II (Micro Irrigation) agrianst the target of 4,016 ha., 4,100 ha. has been brought under Micro Irrigation incurring expenditure Rs.16.91 crores.

CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES

 

1) Integrated Scheme of Oilseed, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM): The Government of India launched this scheme during the year 2004-2005. In the new scheme all the ongoing scheme of OPP, NPDP and AMDP etc. have been merged. Only Maize crop has been kept for Himachal Pradesh. The main component of the scheme are Distribution of notified hybrid maize seed, distribution of weedicides and plant protection equipments, training camps for farmers, block demonstrations, IPM demonstrations, distribution of HDPE pipes for carrying water from the source to field and publicity regarding development of Maize etc. The scheme is being implemented on 75:25 basis except for the component of publicity where Central Government share is 100 percent. The Government of India has approved the annual plan under the scheme amounting to Rs.118.97 lacs vide which Government of india share come to Rs.89.73 lacs and State share come to Rs.29.24 lacs. The Government of India has also released 1st Installement amounting to Rs.89.26 lacs.
2) BIOGAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES : This is 100% Centrally Sponsored Schemes under which Rs. 3,500 is provided as subsidy on Biogas Plants upto 1 cubic meter and more than 1 cubic meter the subsidy is Rs.4,500.

3) WORK PLAN FOR ACCELERATED GROWTH OF AGRICULTURE: The Government of India has launched this programme during the year 2000-2001 on 90% Centre share and 10% State share basis. In this, States have to identify this constraints and purpose schemes for funding through Work Plan. Flexibility has also been given to State Level Coordination Committee to make changes in allocation, if required from one scheme to other. For the year 2009-2010, Work Plan of Rs.1353.33 lacs has been prepared and approved by Government of India.

4) PROMOTION AND STRENGTHENING OF AGRICULTURAL MECHNIZATION THROUGH TRAINING, TESTING AND DEMONSTRATION: This scheme was launched in the year 2003-2004. Under this scheme, the demonstrations of newly developed Agricultural Equipments are being conducted in the farmer's field every year. During 2009-2010 a sum of Rs.12.07 lacs was released by the Government of India for conducting demonstrations of newly developed agricultural equipmentslike rotavator, multicrop planter, zero till seed-cum-fertilizer drill, power tiller operated till plant machine, self propelled reaper, vegetable transplanter, manual seed drill and grain cleaner etc., which have been utilized for these activities.The proposal under this scheme amounting to Rs.46.00 lacs has been sent for the year 2010-2011 but the administrative approval/ financial sanction is awaited from the Government of India.

5) RESTRUCTURED SCHEME FOR DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING OF INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES FOR PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF QUALITY SEEDS: Under this scheme the Department of Agriculture started strengthening of Seed Testing Laboratories, Palampur, Solan and a new Seed Testing Laboratory at Mandi is being setup.

 

6) SEED VILLAGE PROGRAMME: Major constraint in increasing production and productivity of crops noted is the lack of sufficient quantities of quality seed of improved varirties to be made available to the farmers in time. To overcome this constraint, Government of India has started a noval programme known as "Seed Village Programme" by which sufficient seed multiplication can be achieved in order to meet local seed requirement besides facilitating supply of seeds at reasonable cost and ensuring quick multiplication of new varieties in a shorter time. Under this programme, areas of better seed production will be identified and a compact area approach will be followed. 50 to 150 suitable responding/ willing farmers for the same crops will be identified/ selected preferably in compact area/ cluster approach. Foundation/ certified seed at 50% cost will be made available to these identified farmers. The seeds for half an acre per farmer will be allowed. Training on seed production and seed technology will be imparted to the idetified farmers for the seed crops grown in the seed villages. Besides this, assistance @ 33% on seed storage bins of 2.1quintal capacity is also available.

 

7) RASHTRIYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJNA (R.K.V.Y): Concerned by the slow growth in Agriculture and allied sectors, the Government of India has launched Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) during 2007-2008. The RKVY aims at achieving 4% annual growth in the agriculture sector during the XIth Plan period, by ensuring a holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. The main objectives of the scheme are as under;

(i) To incentivise the states as so as to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors.

(ii) To provides flexibility and autonomy to states in the process of planning and executing agriculture and allied sector schemes.

(iii) To ensure the preparation of agriculture plans for the districts and the states based on agro-climatic conditions, availability of technology and natural resources.

(iv) To maximize returns to the farmers in agriculture and allied sectors.

(v) To bring about quantifiable changes in the production and productivity of various components in agriculture and allied sectors by addressing them in a holistic manner.

This scheme had been launched during the year 2007-2008. During the year 2009-2010, asum of Rs.3,303 lacs was released to the State out of which expenditure to the tune of Rs.3264.28 lacs has been made by all the stakeholder Departments. For the year 2010-2011, an allocation of Rs.94.85 crores has been received from the Government of India.

8) KISAN CALL CENTER: Under this scheme, farmers can get any information on agriculture by dailing toll free number 1800-180-1551 or 1551. The service is available from 6.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M. on all days.

9) FARM WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: The Department of Agriculture has taken up Farm Women Empowerment Programme in a big way in 73 blocks of the State covering 11,800 women farmers. 8 women groups have been constituted in each block. The objectives of the programme are; assessment of needs of women farmers, prioritization of activities, providing package of technical training to women farmers in agriculture and allied areas, to provide organisation and funational support to women groups to make them Self Help Thrift Groups, to develop their managerial, organizational, entrepreneurial and decision making skills so as to enable them to develop them into a viable unit to start their own economic activities. These women groups are also being exposed to various parts of the State and Country. Now, the Government closed this scheme in December, 2005 and new concept of Gender Budgeting is introduced by the Government from the financial year 2006-2007 under which 30% of the budget is to be spent on Women specific programmes.

10) SUPPORT TO STATE EXTENSION PROGRAMMES FOR EXTENSION REFORMS: This programme is a major initiative towards revitalizing agricultural extension to make the extension system decentralized and demand driven. The scheme has been conceptualized on the basis of the policy framework for agricultural extension and experiences with the innovations in the technology dissemination component of the National Technology Project implemented in the 7 States including Himachal Pradesh. Following key reforms are being promoted under the scheme;
(i) Providing innovative restructured autonomous bodies at the district level (ATMA) and at block level (FAC, BTT), which are flexible, promote bottom up and participatory approachs, are farmer driven and facilitate public-private partnership.
(ii) Convergence of line departments programmes and operating on gap filling mode by formulating SREP and Annual Work Plans.
(iii) Encouraging Multi-agency Extension Strategies involving inter-alia public/ private extension service providers.
(iv) Moving towards integrated, broad-based extension delivery in the line with farming systems approach.
(v) Adopting Group approach to extension (operating through FIGs & SHGs).
(vi) Addressing gender concerns (mobilizing farm women into groups, capacity building etc.)
(vii) Moving towards sustainability of extension services (e.g. through beneficiary contribution).
During 2007-2008, an expenditure of Rs.414.17 lacs has been incurred against approved outlay of Rs.414.17 lacs and proposed outlay for 2008-2009 is Rs.441.67 lacs including 10% State Share. This scheme has been extended to all the 12 Districts of the State. The approved outlay for 2009-2010 is Rs.800 lacs.

11) MASS MEDIA SUPPORT TO AGRICULTURE EXTENSION: The primary objective of the scheme is to use television and radio with their massive penetration, as a vehicle for agricultural extension. Basically, the scheme is focusing on two initiatives;
(a) Doordarshan: The first is use of Doordarshan for infrastructure for providing agricultural related information and knowledge to farming community. It has two components (i) Narrowcasting using high/ low transmitters of Doordarshan (ii) Regional and National Agricultural Programmes in terrestrial mode of transmission. Presently, Doordarshan Shimla is telecasting Krishi Darshan Programme between 6.00 P.M. to 6.30 P.M. five days in a week.
(b) All India Radio: This component of scheme envisages use of FM transmitters of AIR to broadcast area specific agricultural programmes with 30 minutes radio transmission six days a week. Presently, half an hour, Krishivani programme is being broadcasted, six days a week from FM Dharamshala and Hamirpur.

12) NATIONAL PROJECT ON ORGANIC FARMING: Organic agriculture on one hand, is expected to provide sustainability, while on other hand, it will help in increasing the income of the farmers. Government of India has launched a National Project on Agriculture in order to promote organic farming. Under this project, financial assistance is being provided for setting up of Model Farms, training of farmers, setting up of wormi hatchries and service proveders. For 2008-2009, Government of India has released Rs.38.05 lacs. The proposed outlay for the year 2009-2010 is Rs.133.00 lacs. For promoting organic farming further a project has been taken up in Shimla District in collaboration with Morarka Foundation and District Rural Development Agency, Shimla. Under the scheme, 48 clusters consisting of 5800 farmers have been registered. The Department of Agriculture is providing assistance @ Rs.1500 per farmer. This assistance would be provided in three years for documentation, data base management, training and capacity building, organic certification, linkage and value addition. Besides this, training of farmers regarding organic farming is also organised. One Cert Asia Agriulture Certification Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur has been engaged for the certification of organic produce. After the certification, this company will explore the market for this produce by making agreement with the interested companies. This programme of organic farming promotion has also been extended to other districts by involving local NGOs/ KVKs in the districts for promotion of organic farming and registration of farmers. Upto 2008-2009, 5240 additonal farmers have been registed under organic farming through NGO's. During 2009-2010 a target of 4,000 farmers have been fixed to register under Organic farming.


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