Rs 2447 crore project for doubling foodgrain production

Chandigarh, Feb 22 (UNI) The Haryana government has submitted to the Centre a Rs 2447.52 crore project aimed at doubling the foodgrain production and enhancing the income of farmers of the state.

The state government has also sent a Rs 934.55 crore project for reclamation of land and water management for the approval of the Centre.

Stating this here today, Haryana Agriculture Minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha said that under the doubling of food production project, Rs 1160 crore would be spent on the land development and water management, Rs 960 crore on crop diversification, Rs 120 crore on research and development and Rs 67.92 crore for increasing the supplementary income of the farmers.

Giving details about the land reclamation and water management project, Mr Chatha said Rs 222.25 crore would be spent on drainage activities. Also, Rs 351.75 crore would be spent on recharging of ground waters and Rs 173.65 crore on other activities including adaptive research, marketing and connectivity.

He said as many as 1000 villages over an area of 40,000 hectars would be covered under this project which would restore the ecological balance and, therefore, lead to the security of food production and livelihood.

The latest techniques of participatory approach, reduction of dependance upon subsidies and encouragement of cost sharing from beneficiaries stake holders for long term sustainability would also be adopted.

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