Mangaluru: A meeting to discuss the implementation of ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Shinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)’ and ‘Mannu Aarogya Abhiyan’ was held at the office of the District Commissioner, here on 2 December.
Kempegowda the Joint Director of Agriculture, Mangaluru said that, PMKSY is aimed at providing water to every field via irrigation. “Rain water will be harnessed through ‘Jal Sanchay’ and ‘Jal Sinchan’. Thus we will get ‘Per Drop- More Crop’,” he said.
The need, objectives and various methods of implementation were discussed. “Guidelines issued by Government of India will be followed. In case of the absence of such guidelines, the State Government can implement its schemes,” he added.
Kempegowda said that the State will be eligible for PMKSY funds only if District Irrigation Plans (DIP) and State Irrigation Plans (SIP) are prepared. “Our district is well ahead of other districts in this matter,” he said. Of the total 477149 hectares, 82238.19 hectares are already planned for. Remaining 317467.11 will be planned in the coming days, he added.
“Emphasis will be given for utilizing MGNREGA fund for de-silting of ponds, canals, defunct water bodies like old ponds, to improve storage capacity and creating scopes for water availability for irrigation purposes,” he added.
“Proper implementation of this scheme will provide enough water for every field,” Kempegowda said.
On ‘Mannu Aarogya Abhiyan’, Kempegowda said that the project will commence from 5 December. The day is observed as ‘International Soil Health’ day. The project will involve collection of soil samples every 10 hectares. The collected soil samples will be analysed for nutrients. The next step will be, to issue farm holdings with a ‘Soil Health Card’. The farmers can refer this card and get the required amount of ‘right nutrients’ and unnecessary fertilizers will be avoided.
The testing of soil will be done in two phases. 24326 samples will be collected in the first year and 24325 samples will be collected in the following year. So in a period of two years time a total of 48651 samples will be collected for analysis.
“The soil in our district is already rich in phosphorus, but farmers are still supplying the soil with phosphorus. This proper analysis should show the right type and the right amount of nutrients to be used,” Kempegowda said.
“We will see the results within 3 years,” he added.
DC AB Ibrahim, ZP CEO Shreevidya, officials from the department of horticulture, irrigation and agriculture were also present at the meeting.