Haryana:US foundation explores setting up agri extension

Chandigarh, June 4 (UNI) A delegation from the US-based Melinda Bill Gates Foundation called on Haryana Governor A R Kidwai here today to explore possibilities for setting up a ''real time'' village based agriculture extension.

The eight member delegation was headed by eminent US scholar of Educational Reform of Old Dominion University Dwight W Allen.

The Haryana Governor apprised the delegation about the various effective steps being taken by the state government for increasing productivity in agriculture sector and to promote research activities in agriculture in the state.

Mr J C Katyal, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhry Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, said Haryana had earned a remarkable achievement by adopting the BT cotton technology in increasing productivity of cotton in the state which had risen to more than 550 kg per hectare, which was about 300 kg per hectare earlier.

After the meeting, the delegation left for the Hisar University on a two-day visit where they will explore the possibility of a project to be launched in Haryana on a new extension model.

During their stay at CCS Haryana Agricutural University, the delegation members will also visit the nearby villages to have interaction with the farmers.

UNI