Floods turn into boon for agriculture in Rajasthan's Barmer dist

Jodhpur, Dec 10 (UNI) Notwithstanding the miseries and devastation the floods had brought in the last monsoon in the desert district of Barmer in Rajasthan, its water was being harnessed for cultivation in an agricultural boon.

Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Kiran Soni Gupta said ''The district is poised for a record production of mustard estimated at over Rs 10 crore though floods have claimed lives of about 110 people and inundation of Kawas and Malwa villages that had led to the displacement of many villagers.'' Flood waters accumulated in the villages spread over 1.37 lakh hectres has brought Rabi crops under cultivation for the first time in the district, she said.

Ms Soni said ''The flood water is being harnessed for agricultre in a big way. The farmers are encouraged to cultivate crops of mustard, gram, jeera among others besides the irrigation of about 2000 hectres of land from the flood water.

The Divisional Commissioner said about Rs 16.74 crore of agriculture loan had been disbursed to about 10,000 farmers from co-operative and other banks in the district.

The government had also given 100 per cent subsidy for the installation of 100 pumps and fountains in the district, she said.

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