Orissa seeks Rs 850 cr under NFSM scheme

Bhubaneswar, Oct 6 (UNI) The Orissa government has sought Rs 850 crore for the implementation of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in the state during the 11th five year plan period in the state.

A high-level meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, here decided to implement the NFSM and National Agricultural Development Programme from this year.

The state government, meanwhile, has identified 15 districts for paddy cultivation, 10 districts for pulses and two districts for wheat cultivation under the NFSM.

The meeting also discussed about the prospects of cotton cultivation in undivided Koraput, Ganjam and Kalahandi districts where the soil condition and agro-climatic zone are very much conducive for high quality cotton cultivation.

The Pani Panchayat and the self help women group would be involved in the implementation of the NFSM in the state and the government has decided to constitute a Food Security Mission Executive Committee under the chairmanship of state Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy to monitor the programme.

UNI