Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool   

Programme planned on farmers' education

Special Correspondent

To be implemented on an experimental basis in the first year

KURNOOL: Under the KC canal modernisation programme, the Irrigation Department has taken up farmers' education in sustainable agriculture.

The programme aims at reducing water wastage, introducing water usage accountability, improving income through higher productivity and reducing use of chemicals to avoid contamination of water sources and soil.

The programme will be implemented on an experimental basis in the first year at G. Singavaram, Chindukur, Telapuri, Mydukur (Kadapa) and Chinamasapalli. The area represented by Water Users' Association (WUA) covering one or two villages is demarcated as model farm for the project. Varada Rajulu, Superintending Engineer, Kurnool Circle, has said three NGOs -- Jalaspandana, APARD and WCUSS -- were identified for taking up farmers' education.

Farmers would be taught the use and manufacturing of bio-fertilisers and vermin-compost, improved varieties of seed, mixed cropping and machines.

Monitoring agencies

The project identified employing of bio-fertilisers as critical aspect, which reduces cultivation cost, avoids contamination of soil and water sources and fetches premium price for the farmers (organic food).

The project sourced tractors and machinery worth Rs. 10 lakhs for use by farmers. Around 1,000 farmers with an extent of 5,000 acres come under the model farms network.

Mr. Varadarajulu said multi-information system would also be developed networking all model farms with the project monitoring agencies.

In case of outbreak of pest and other crop diseases, the agencies would act fast using the online facilities.

At the end, the project teaches farmers how to pay for the water used by them. Collection of water cess is an important aspect of the project.

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