Date:26/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122653350300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

Expedite development works: Salem Collector

Staff Reporter

SALEM: Collector J. Chandrankumar instructed the officials to expedite the implementation of development works being carried out under the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management project.

Agriculture marketing

A total of eight line departments including the agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry and agriculture marketing had taken up works to the tune of Rs. 6 crore under the project in the Vazhapadi, Attur and Peddanaciaknapalayam blocks in the district.

Modernising irrigation

The project is aimed at increasing the agriculture productivity by modernising irrigation infrastructure, improving irrigation service delivery including adaptation of modern water-saving irrigation technologies and agriculture practices, agriculture intensification and diversification, enhancing market access and agri-business opportunities, and strengthening institutions and instruments dealing with water resources management.

Veterinary camp

The Collector, participating at a veterinary camp organised under the project in Pallathanur village on Wednesday, appealed to the farmers to take full advantage of the immunisation camps organised in various parts of the district.

While inspecting the cultivation of cocoa at C.N. Palayam, he interacted with the farmers about various issues faced by them in the cultivation of the crop.

Renovation works

The Collector also inspected the renovation works at a check dam at Athanurpatti and lake improvement works at Belur, Kalleripatti, Abhinavam and Peddanaickanpalayam.

He saw the construction of the storage point for agriculture produces in Kottavadi village and marketing centre at Ethapur.

At Ariyagoundanur village, he visited an inland fisheries unit.

He reviewed the progress of cultivation of paddy under the System of Rice Intensification method and various demonstration fields established through the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University.

Joint Director of agriculture Sekar Anandam, Project’s Executive Engineer Pintamizhselvan, Deputy Director of Horticulture Dasarathan, Deputy Director (Agriculture Marketing ) A.V. Subramaniam and senior officials accompanied the Collector during the inspection.