Mini kits carrying seeds for sowing distributed to farmers in 19 dists

Bengaluru: Agriculture Minister BC Patil informed that mini kits worth Rs 12.6 crore carrying seeds for sowing have been given free of cost to the farmers under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) scheme in 19 major growing districts.

Addressing presspersons Patil said that farmers have been given Toor Daal, groundnut, and Soybean seeds under the programme.

“They are encouraged under this campaign to grow various other crops. In the year 2020-21, foodgrains production took place in 153.08 lakh hectares, which is about two per cent higher than the country average and 10 percent higher in Karnataka compared to the state average,” the minister said.

“The growth in foodgrain production was despite COVID-19 induced lockdown and slump in the economy, for which the credit goes to the farmers. This year, the target is to grow foodgrains in 77 lakh hectares during monsoon, of which sowing has already taken place in 11.73 lakh hectares,” he added.

He further informed, “Against a demand for six lakh quintals of sowing seed, the state has 7.74 lakh quintals of sowing seed available. So far, 1.79 lakh quintals of seed have been distributed and 1.15 lakh quintal seed stock at farmer contact centres. From April to June, the total demand for fertilizers was 12.78 lakh metric tonnes, while 8.02 lakh MT has been supplied.”