Joshi seeks Central budget for protecting crops from wildlife, research into Tumdi potato in U’khand
Saturday, 23 NOVEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
There is a need for special measures to protect the crops of farmers from wild animals in the State. Apart from this, research on the traditional farming of the Tumdi potato cultivated in the high mountainous regions of Uttarakhand should also be undertaken.
The Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi said this while virtually attending the 28th Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) regional committee meeting chaired by Union Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday.
Speaking at the meeting attended by the Agriculture minister of various States, agricultural scientists and departmental officials, Joshi said that wild animals are causing considerable damage to crops which is affecting the motivation of farmers. Stressing on the need for an economical and useful solution to the problem, he also pointed out that the Centre used to provide funds to farmers for fencing to protect their crops in the past which has been discontinued now. He requested a special budget from the Centre for the State’s farmers for protective fencing of their crops till necessary research is concluded in this area.
Referring to the Tumdi variety of potato cultivated in the high mountain regions of the State, he stressed on the need for research on its traditional farming. Stating that the demand for this variety is consistently increasing, he called for research in the variety, which he added has considerable scope. The research is needed to increase its production and ensure proper prices to the farmers. Stating that most of the agriculture is organic in the State, he pointed to the need for an effective organic chemical to check pests affecting agricultural and horticultural crops. The minister also said that the notified variety of hemp with less than 0.3 per cent THC content is also needed.
