State approves 'Innovation in Agriculture Extension' scheme

Mumbai, July 10 (UNI) The Maharashtra government has approved the Rs 60 lakh Centrally-sponsored ''Innovation in Agriculture Extension'' scheme in the State during 2008-09.

The Central Government will bear Rs 45 lakh of the expenditure while the State Government's share will be Rs 15 lakh, an official release here today said.

Publicity of agricultural techniques is primarily the responsibility of the agriculture extension machinery. To make the agriculture extension programme comprehensive, the scheme was implemented in the State from 2000 with 75 per cent contribution from the Centre and 25 per cent from the State.

Under the scheme, books and periodicals would be supplied to libraries, publications on agriculture would be brought out, various schemes and measures taken by the Agriculture Department would be publicised, and permanent boards for publicity of agricultural information technology would be set up, among other things.

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