Pondy CM release land use plan for UT

Puducherry,Nov 26(UNI) The perspective land use plan for the Union Territory released by Chief Minister V Vaithilingam here yesterday, has recommended a total ban on conversion of farm lands for non-agricultural purposes.

Mr Vaithilingam released the 200 page plan prepared by the National Bureau of Soil Survey(NBSS) and Land Use Planning (LUP), regional centre Bangalore, which pointed out that agriculture, particularly paddy cultivation need to be enhanced to meet the food demand.

At present cultivation was being done in 18,926 hectares yielding 68,134 tonnes which was only 55 per cent of the demand. The present level of 166 per cent cropping intensity has to be increased to 300 per cent by 2015.

This was possible only by growing paddy over an area of 23,288 hectares in two seasons and pulses in 5,822 hectares and oilseeds in 5,822 acres during any of the non-rainy seasons in order to ensure 70 per cent self-sufficency by 2015, the plan mentioned.

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