(REOPENS MDS6)

A farmers' income commission would be set up as per the recommendations of M S Swaminathan, to improve the economic condition of the farmers along with agriculture wealth. Shettar said there is a need to adopt scientific methods for providing weather forecast to enable payment of compensation to farmers under weather-based crop insurance. He said Rs 35 crore would be provided in 2013-14 to install remote rain guage stations in 3,700 gram panchayats and to establish remote meteorological centres in around 550 "hoblis" (hobli means a clutch of surrounding villages). "In order to extend this scheme to the whole of the state, an amount of Rs 100 crore will be provided towards partial premium," Shettar said. "Foodgrains, commercial and horticulture crops are included in this scheme. 57 lakh farmers will benefit through this scheme." There are 18 lakh irrigation pumpsets in the state and their electricity consumption is increasing. Karnataka Solar Energy Scheme will be formulated to make up for the shortage of electricity, to adopt modern technology and to install solar power based pump sets, where ever possible. The Chief Minister announced establishment of Karnataka State Spices Development Board.