THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The farming sector and the fisheries sector of the state are all set to get a boost during the 12th Five Year Plan, says the draft approach paper to the 12th Five Year Plan, which had been put up on the website of the Planning Board seeking public response and opinion.The approach to agriculture in the next Plan will focus on increasing the income of the farmers not just by improving productivity but also through better marketing and promotion of value-added agricultural produce. Projects for promoting value addition will be given special focus and existing central schemes will be used to supplement state Plan resources. The farmers will no longer be duped in receiving subsidies and other grants because from the next Plan period subsidies will be credited directly to the bank accounts of farmers. The procedures for obtaining the same will also be simplified."Agro-service centres will be set up, with the support of local self-government institutions and co-operatives to provide service to farmers. These agro-service centres will also take up large-scale mechanisation programmes,’’ says the approach paper. Encouragement of contract farming in all lands including fallow land to raise the income of farmers also finds mention in the draft.To promote the welfare of farmers, a coordinated effort to meet the requirements of farmers in matters of health, education and housing will be launched through convergence of central and state schemes. The schemes which are already under implementation will be merged with Central schemes to ensure maximum flow of funds.Apart from traditional farming, homestead farming will be encouraged to increase vegetable production by 50 per cent. As part of a special project for promoting food security, rice production will be improved by 25 per cent. Even in the background of widespread opposition to introduction of GM crops across the country, the draft approach paper says that biotechnology will be encouraged and strongly promoted.In the animal husbandry sector, a veterinary doorstep service will be a new initiative. So would be a better cold chain to expand milk procurement from dairy farmers.The facilities at the veterinary hospitals and laboratories will also be improved. For the welfare of fisherfolk, the approach paper promises to launch a comprehensive coastal area development project covering infrastructure, housing, sanitation, drinking water and livelihood.The inland fish production is proposed to be increased from 1.17 lakh tonnes to 2 lakh tonnes by the end of the Plan. Strategies and action plans are being formulated towards this end, including expansion of fish farming in tanks and pools and extending fish farming to more reservoirs. Strengthening of post-harvest infrastructure such as storage facilities, cold chains and fish handling facilities had been identified as a key requirement and a project to this end will be proposed.It is proposed to expand micro-enterprises, credit support and coverage under social security schemes for the livelihood security of fisherfolk.Suggestions to the draft approach paper should be sent by e-mail to [email protected] or by post to D Prashanth, Chief, Plan Coordination Division, State Planning Board, Thiruvananthapuram 695004.
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