Agriculture Ministry To Merge 27 Centrally-Sponsored Schemes

"We are planning to merge 27 central agriculture projects with an annual allocation of Rs 760 crore into a single scheme 'macro management in agriculture.' This will ensure proper utilisation of funds and region-specific growth strategies," agriculture minister Nitish Kumar explained.

He said under the present scheme the allocation was being made to carry out research or promote cropping of particular foodgrains like rice or wheat irrespective of the agro-climatic conditions in the state.

He said southern states, which virtually had no wheat cultivation were not being able to utilise funds for integrated crop development programme for wheat.

The merged programme would give freedom to states in selecting crop development projects according to their needs, he said, adding the Centre would provide 90 per cent of the fund requirements and rest would have to be brought in by the states.

 

However, the states would not be allowed to divert funds allotted for horticulture and watershed projects, he said.

Kumar said only production-related programmes would be merged into one entity and other centrally-sponsored schemes would continue in their present form.

The agriculture ministry wanted to start the scheme from this year and for the purpose had asked the states to submit annual work plan to avail the fund, Kumar said.

"Some states have already submitted their annual work plans. We are evaluating these proposals and will release funds once we get the approval of the cabinet," Kumar said.

He said the Centre had so far released only 25 per cent of the money allocated for these 27 central projects and the rest of the amount would be provided to the states only under the new scheme.

The projects which have to be converged are related to integrated crop development programmes (ICDPS), watershed management schemes and horticulture improvement programmes, the minister said.