Date:29/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/29/stories/2007112960930400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Focus on need to conserve water

Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE: The eight departments associated with agriculture will have to increase their output through optimum use of water and efficient use of technology, Vipul Nair, Project Director the World Bank aided Land and Water Resources Development Project, said here recently.

Chairing a review meeting of the project along with Collector Neeraj Mittal, he urged the departments to provide the farmers with the required raw materials by January 2008 to increase the cropping area of flowers and vegetables.

Mr. Nair sought the involvement of all farmers in sharing the latest technology for developing crops like coconut, maize, groundnut and paddy. Assistance for implementation should be obtained in time from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

The Fisheries Department should educate farmers on rearing ornamental fishes and setting up fish ponds on their farms. This, he believed, would supplement their income.