Karnataka plans to develop 75,000 ha wasteland

Karnataka has set an ambitious target to convert 75,000 hectares of wasteland to cultivation during the 11th Five Year Plan.

Speaking at the Krishi Pandith Awards presentation ceremony here on Thursday, A Ramaswamy, Karnataka principal secretary for agriculture and horticulture, said, "Presently, we are conducting a survey to identify such land for conversion."

"For developing wastelands, the agriculture department is planning to take up central and state government schemes as the state's cultivable land potential is shrinking as the land used for non-agricultural purposes is increasing," he added.

The state government is offering agriculture loan at 4 per cent through state co-operative banks. "Now, the state government has approached the Union finance ministry to direct scheduled commercial banks to also offer loans at 4 per cent," he further added.

Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur said, "Karnataka is the only state to have brought out a comprehensive agriculture plan even as the National Development Council has given its approval to the 11th five year plan."

"Karnataka's agriculture policy is in tune with the National Development Council policy resolution and is farmer-centric. The policy aims to double agricultural production in 10 years. This will enable it to become a significant player in the agricultural economy by increasing' production, effecting higher efficiency and value addition to farm produce," he added.

Farmers who won Krishi Pandith Awards under different categories were: for efficient usage of water "" Eswarappa Verrabhadrappa of Nagarahalli in Gadag district; organic farming "" Vivek Cariappa and Julie Cariappa of H D Kote, Mysore district; farm mechanisation "" Ravindra Ganesharao Telanga and Mahesha R Telanga of Koralakatta, Uttara Kannada district; integrated farming systems and crop diversification "" Veerakempanna of Aanuru, Chikkaballapur district.