Haryana chalks out Rs 3 cr crop diversification plan

Chandigarh, Apr 15 (UNI) In view of the decline in organic fraction of the soil, the Haryana government has formulated an ambitious scheme for promotion of crop diversification at a cost of Rs 3.05 crore during the current financial year.

Agriculture Minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha said the scheme was formulated with the objective to sustain the present productivity level of soil besides avoiding the degradation of natural resources due to over exploitation.

He said cultivation of rice and wheat over a prolonged period had caused degradation of natural resources to a great extent and the ground water level had also declined due to over exploitation of these resources.

Mr Chatha said that diverting areas from paddy to eco-friendly crops like pulses and oilseed would promote sustainability of the agricultural production systems. Pulse crop, particularly summer moong, would be promoted in 'paddy-wheat' areas to provide an alternative crop to summer paddy growers, he added.

The Minister said an area of 40,000 hectares was proposed to be covered under summer moong. Besides, subsidy at the rate of 50 per cent on the cost of seed with a maximum limit of Rs 1500 per quintal would be provided to the farmers.

The cultivation of sunflower would also be promoted under diversification programme and an area of 25,000 hectares would be covered under the crop hybrid seeds of sunflower.

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