The Hindu Business Line : Kharif grain target fixed at 114 mt

"The target for kharif 2005-06 is 114 mt," the Agriculture Secretary, Ms Radha Singh, said at the two-day national conference on kharif campaign 2005 here on Tuesday.

She said the Government would set up 35 plant quarantine stations and expected the State Governments' help in providing land and infrastructure for putting up such stations across the country.

"Plant quarantine stations need to be established on top priority and 35 such stations are proposed to be established," she said. With active support from the State Governments, such centres could be started even within next six months, she added.

Additionally, a draft proposal on a new crop insurance scheme, prepared by a joint group on improving crop insurance mechanism, has been formulated and circulated to the States for their feedback, she said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) reiterated that the overall positive weather conditions at present point to a record output of oilseeds and mustard in June-July harvesting season for the rabi crops.

The ICAR Director-General, Mr Mangla Rai, said oilseeds production could even cross 25 mt, while pulses are slated to be around 15 mt. Chickpea output has been pegged at four million tonne while that of pigeon pea stood at 7 mt-8 mt.

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