Date:01/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/01/stories/2005040105840500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Crop diversification: blueprint to be ready by June

By S. Harpal Singh

ADILABAD, MARCH 31. A blueprint on different aspects of crop diversification is expected to be ready by June or July this year, according to the team leader of the State level sub-committee of scientists on crop diversification, B. Bhaskar Reddy.

The fourth regional meeting of the sub-committee is slated to be held at Hyderabad on Friday.

"For arriving at any conclusion regarding crop diversification specific to given areas, the scientists will consider even the market strategies suitable to the region or area in question," revealed the team leader.

Dr. Bhaskar Reddy, who is also the Associate Director of Research at the Regional Agriculture Research Station, Jagtial in Karimnagar district, was in Adilabad on Thursday on an official visit.

He spoke to The Hindu on various sub-issues related to agriculture of which the State Government was seized of.

Market forecasts

Continuing on the subject he said, "Market forecasting will be generated for different crops and commodities. After the forecast, efficient cropping zones will be delineated followed by suggestions on relevant agro technologies and suitable cropping patterns for the area."

"The bottomline is cost-effective agriculture resulting in profitability for the farmer," he observed.

Quoting the example of agricultural operations under the Nagarjunasagar project, the scientist said farmers had a bad experience last year due to less rainfall. "Instead of paddy, had the farmers gone in for some other crop, the scene would not have been dismal. After this experience, the State Government decided to discourage paddy cultivation barring the low-lying areas. It is in situations like this the crop diversification blueprint will come handy," opined Dr. Bhaskar Reddy.

Closer ties

The State Government was also keen on closer liaison between the Agriculture Department and the scientist fraternity, the team leader stated. Scientists will be drafted for support to division-level agriculture extension staff. Scientists can diagnose and suggest suitable remedies for various crop diseases during the season, he added.