Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072752352300.htm

Back Cotton tech scheme covers 1,100 farmers in Vidarbha

Our Bureau

Coimbatore, July 26 The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry’s Cotton Development and Research Association (CITI-CDRA) has taken up cotton production technology demonstration to the 1,100 farmers in Buldhana district in the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra during the current season.

The demonstration under the Ministry of Agriculture’s sponsored front line demonstrations (FLDs) scheme of the technology mission on cotton is aimed at improving the yield through transfer of modern production technologies which includes reducing the cost of cultivation.

The FLDs would be extended in the four villages of Shelapur, Pimpri Gawli, Talani and Talkhed in Buldhana district. Besides, CITI-CDRA will also conduct integrated pest management programme for cotton farmers in two other villages – Tarad Khed and Gummi – in the district.

These programmes cost Rs 24 lakh and the farmers would be eligible for input subsidy worth of Rs 1,400 per acre, according to a statement byMr P.D. Patodia, Chairman, Standing Committee on Cotton, CITI-CDRA.

Sowing of cotton in the project villages was completed by June-end and the germination of the plants is satisfactory. The farmers have opted for Bt cotton of Bunny, Mallika, Rasi-2 and Brahma hybrids on a large scale in the region, the statement added.