State cabinet meet held in the headship of CM
Meet reviews the fodder distribution plan for Saurashtra, Kutch and north Gujarat regions
Approval to various incentive schemes for farmers and NGOs with a view to encourage fodder cultivation
Order issued for giving Rs.25 per animal per day to every Gaushala and cattle feeding houses
Fodder depot will be started in the village cluster of the radius of 15-km
91 fodder depot in scarcity-hit regions
The State cabinet meet, headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, today reviewed the plan for fodder management and distribution in connection with water scarcity in Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat. The meet took decision of giving an assistance of Rs.25 per animal per day to every Gaushala and cattle feeding houses managed by NGO/trusts in scarcity-hit areas.Giving details of the decisions taken in the meet state government spokespersons Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas and Minister of State Saurabh Patel said the government, in its scarcity management plan and district contingency plan, has given priority to making available sufficient fodder to the animals.
Spokespersons said that at present fodder is being distributed through 91 fodder depots at the concessional rate of rupees two per kg. So far, about 11 lakh kilo fodder has already been distributed to cattle-breeders. Considering the need of more number of fodder depots the government will form village clusters in every 15 km. radius and will start new fodder depots there on war footing. The government is in the process of purchasing five crore kilogram of fodder from open market. Orders have been issued for providing this fodder to the cattle-breeders at the concessional rate of Rs.2/kg, added the spokespersons.
Besides, the orders have been issued for implementation of various incentive schemes related to the cultivation of green fodder. The incentive schemes are as follows:
- A special allocation of Rs.75 crore has been approved for providing free-of-cost seeds and fertilizer kits to the farmers (for 2 acres) and to the organizations (for 10 acres).
- Incentive of Rs.5000 per hectare will be given for the cultivation of fodder.
- A grant of Rs.20,000 per hectare (maximum to rupees one lakh) will be given to each village panchayat for removing wild babul and cultivating fodder in the five hectare of gochar land of the village.
- Approval for cultivating fodder will be given to individual farmers (2 to 2.5 acre) and to voluntary organizations/trusts (up to 25 acre) in the land of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam which falls along both the sides of Narmada canal. Water will also be made available for one year without cost.
- Farmers’ contribution for using 2322 wells of water resource development corporation will be do away with and instead the farmers will be given facility for drip irrigation at 100 percent government expense.
- In order to meet the scarcity of drinking water, approval has been given to agriculture produce market committees for giving contribution up to a limit of Rs.50 lakh from the market fund, with the consent of taluka committee.
