Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110757190300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Jute team recommends development of breeder seed

Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM: An expert team from National Jute Development Corporation has suggested development of breeder seed for high yield in marginal and higher productive lands in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

The team headed by S. K. Biswas, Director of the corporation, during an interaction with agriculture officials of the said districts here on Friday where officials pointed out shortage of quality seed, recommended mesta seed development under village seed programme.

He also said that tie-up between interested farmers and Amadalavalasa Agriculture Research Centre for breeder seed production would solve the problem at least by next year. He asked officials to supply Amadalavalasa mesta variety-4, 5 to farmers on subsidy and in mini kits through A.P. Seeds after Seed Certification Agency certified the variety. So far, the Agriculture Department has not been supplying mesta seed to farmers.

Suggesting officials to conduct training/demonstration programmes in villages on seed production, Dr. Biswas said adoption of technology with the assistance of local scientists would help increase production even in marginal lands.

To get fine variety of jute yarn farmers must avoid using earth mounds while retting in tanks, he said and added that the corporation had already initiated action on sanctioning of retting tanks on subsidy.

Ashok Purohit, Joint Director (Agriculture) said that mesta was raised in 16,011 ha against the normal crop area of 39,660 ha in the district. He attributed the drop in crop area to low support price for the crop.

The Jute Corporation of India has fixed Rs. 1,317 per quintal for bottom grade for the current fiscal and its initiative on lifting stocks was negligible.

Growers would show interest if only the MSP is fixed at Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 per quintal, the JD (A) felt. K. Bhgawan Dora, S.S. Adhikari, Sravan Kumar and Venkata Reddy were among the team present.

The team members visited a few villages in Gajapathinagaram and Cheepurupalli mandals and interacted with mesta growers during the last two days.