Date:31/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/31/stories/2005013100621301.htm

Back TN drive to improve pulses output

Our Correspondent

MADURAI: The State Commissionerate of Agriculture has signed an agreement with National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) to improve the cultivation of pulses and provide marketing facilities for farmers.

As per the agreement, it has been planned to produce 5,000 tonnes of pulses and 5,000 tonnes of oil seeds and 10,000 tonnes of maize in various districts in the State and NAFED would procure 5,000 tonnes of pulses from the farmers.

The plan will be executed through contract farming on 25,000 hectares, to be identified by the Agriculture Department officials. The farmers would be offered Rs1,400 for pulses, Rs1,500 for gingelly and Rs 535 for maize per quintal. At the time of the procurement, if the open market price is higher, the farmers would get the open market price. If the price fixed by the Government is more, the farmers will get that price.

The idea is to enable farmers get a high price and encourage them to sell to NAFED, according to Mr Jagmohan Singh Raju Commission for Agriculture.