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Municipal Corporation proposal irks farmers

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The Hindu 15.07.2009

Municipal Corporation proposal irks farmers

Staff Reporter

They react angrily to Pradyumna’s speech

 


They oppose land acquisition for housing project on 60:40 formula

VMC proposal will result in their land value diminishing, they fear


VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) attempts to acquire land at Devi Nagar by involving the farmers in a housing project on 60:40 basis did not fructify, here on Tuesday.

Municipal Commissioner P.S. Pradyumna’s words instigated the farmers to react aggressively and oppose the proposal in toto. The commissioner’s speech unfolded a high voltage drama at the meeting, and farmers became emotional. They said a big “no” to 60:40 formula and suggested that the commissioner go for land acquisition and pay the compensation as per market value putting an abrupt end to the meeting.

According to the proposal made by the commissioner, the VMC would develop the land to provide amenities like roads, UGD and water with its funds. While the VMC keeps 40 per cent of the land developed, the land owners would get 60 per cent. The VMC is contemplating constructing houses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme at Devi Nagar, he said.

“You will not get recourse even if you see your MLA/MP or even Chief Minister. I suggest you to be part of the development process,” Mr. Pradyumna said, “None will come forward to purchase your lands, if it was notified under Land Acquisition Act, or you move the court of law. Even the Chief Minister would, at the most, suggest you to go for an agreement, which suits you.”

“You (farmers) need the Corporation’s and UDA’s help if you want to develop a layout in your land after some time. If you agree to “our proposal positively”, some of the issues like VLT, building plans etc could be sorted out at “my level.” If need be, “I would give an undertaking” that the land would be developed in a year, and also would protect your lands from encroachments for next two years, he said.

But, the farmers were reluctant to heed his suggestions and promises. They stuck to their argument that their land values would diminish if rehabilitation colonies came up in their vicinity if the land was developed on 60:40 basis.

Mr. Pradyumna, trying to ease the situation, said he neither intended to hurt their feelings nor was trying to threaten them. “Housing is one of the prestigious projects of the State government. I was only trying to put across various options before you,” he said, and left the meeting hall bringing an abrupt end to the meeting.

Earlier, in charge Sub Collector B. L. Chennakesava Rao, VMC Chief City Planner P. Timma Reddy, Vijayawada (Urban) Tehsildar Ch. Ramesh Babu made futile attempts to convince the farmers to agree for the proposal.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 07:20
 

Sericulture operations to begin at Ayyampuzha

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Source : The Hindu Date : 21.06.2009

Sericulture operations to begin at Ayyampuzha

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Kerala State Sericulture Cooperative Federation (Serifed) and The Plantation Corporation of Kerala will join hands to begin sericulture operations at the latter’s plantation in Ayyampuzha.

The project will go on stream on a pilot basis on five acres of plantation land owned by the Corporation. This is the first time that Serifed and The Plantation Corporation are joining hands for a sericulture venture and it is expected to give a big boost to cocoon production in the State.

The funds for the project, with an expected investment of Rs.8 lakh, will come largely from the Union government-sponsored Rahstriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

The money will go into setting up rearing sheds, buying equipment and establishing irrigation facilities for the sericulture programme.

To attract more farmers

Meanwhile, the Ernakulam District office of Serifed hopes to draw more farmers into sericulture through a scheme of various subsidies during the ensuing season.

It was expected that the current level of prices, expected to go up further in the coming season, would be added incentive to the farmers.

Planting operations

New planting operations are undertaken during the months of June and July and the Serifed office here has invited applications from farmers for subsidies if they undertaken sericulture operations in 25 cents or more land.

Those who do not own their own land can take farms on lease for the programme, said an official of Serifed here.

If a farmer can reach up to 100 kg of cocoon production in an acre, subsidies to the tune of Rs.1 lakh is available. The subsidy amount will be available for planting, preparing rearing sheds, buying equipment, setting up irrigation facilities and for vermin compost units.

Serifed will also provide a month-long training to the new farmers, said the official.

The cocoons can be sold at the market in Perumbavoor set up by the Ernakulam District Panchayat.

Cocoons are fetching up to Rs. 195 a kg now and the price is expected to go up.

There are more than 50 sericulture farmers in the Ernakulam district now who are engaged in sericulture operations in over 50 acres.

Last year’s cocoon production stood at four tonnes and the situation is expected to improve during the current season.

Last Updated on Sunday, 21 June 2009 14:24
 

Government releases Rs. 1 crore for ARDF

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Source : The Hindu Date : 20.06.2009

Government releases Rs. 1 crore for ARDF

Raviprasad Kamila

Foundation to work on two machines for areca farmers

— Photo: R. Ewarraj

MANPOWER CRISIS: An areca plantation near Mangalore.

MANGALORE: The State Government has released Rs. 1 crore to the city-based Arecanut Research and Development Foundation (ARDF) for research and development activities.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who inaugurated a conference on “future of arecanut” hosted by the foundation here on August 9, 2008, had announced that the Government would sanction Rs. 2 crore to the foundation.

He had said that the Government would examine if the foundation could be given recognition.

Now the foundation was managed by a trust under the auspices of the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Ltd. (Campco).

S.R. Rangamurthy, executive trustee of the foundation and president of the Campco, told The Hindu on Friday that the Government released Rs. 1 crore a month ago. The Chief Minister said that the balance promised amount would be released once the foundation utilised the amount released.

He said the immediate priority of the foundation was to get two equipment for farmers.

One was to de-husk raw arecanut after harvesting and the other was to climb areca trees for spraying pesticides and harvesting.

Mr. Rangamurthy said that areca growers were facing acute shortage of workers. Skilled workers were needed for de-husking raw arecanut and to climb areca trees. All agriculture workers could not do that.

As areca growers had not taken to farm mechanisation in a big way, use of machinery would help farmers overcome shortage of skilled and unskilled workers.

He said the foundation was holding discussions with three companies to develop such equipment.

It would sign an agreement with the short-listed company for developing these equipment.

He said that in 2007, the foundation released to the market Pooga syrup and Pooga trim (powder) made of arecanut and other ingredients for medicinal use. Pooga in Sanskrit means arecanut. They were the results of research on alternative use of arecanut initiated by the foundation.

The foundation initiated the research through Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Ayurveda Pharmacy, Udupi.

Badanaje Shankar Bhat, a Vitla-based arecanut researcher, gave preliminary formulations to the pharmacy to develop research.

Narayana Sharma of SDM Ayurveda Hospital, Udupi, and his team conducted the clinical trials and developed final formulation of the two medicines.

The syrup was used to treat respiratory-related allergies and to correct hunger-related problems. Pooga trim was used to reduce obesity and control diabetes.

Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISMH) had given licence for the commercial manufacture of two Ayurvedic medicines using white arecanut.

Mr. Rangamurthy said the foundation had to concentrate on launching value added arecanut products for mass consumption. Only then it would help many farmers as it would create a huge market for the produce.

Manchi Srinivasa Achar, trustee of the foundation and president of Puttur-based All India Areca Growers’ Association, told The Hindu that the foundation was thinking of data related to areca production, area under the crop and its movement in market.

Mr. Achar said the foundation was planning to have its own areca garden and separate premises to help research and development activities.

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 June 2009 08:39
 


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