The Hindu : Information centre for farmers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 11, 2002

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Information centre for farmers

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi Oct.10. The Union Agriculture Ministry has forwarded the recommendations of the Commission on Agriculture Costs and Prices on drought relief to the Cabinet.

The package seeks slashing of fertiliser prices to pre-budget levels, waiving interest on loans and reduction in Central issue prices of rationed commodities.

Speaking to mediapersons at the inauguration of a `single window delivery system' of information to farmers, the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr.Ajit Singh, declined to divulge the cost of the package, but it is estimated to be more than Rs. 3,000 crores, if the Cabinet accepts the demand for waiving interest on loans.

The `single window delivery system' of the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) will provide farmers and entrepreneurs services and technologies on improved varieties of seeds, plant saplings, farm advisory services, soil and water testing, biofertilizers and agriculture implements at one place.

Farm literature and a plant clinic have also been established. Mr.Singh said this would help farmers adopt improved and latest agriculture technology to face the challenges in the 21st century.

He also planted an improved variety of mango— "pusa arunma" at the Agriculture Technology Information Centre of IARI.

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