It has been proposed to supply 110 sprinkler sets with an outlay of Rs.13.75 lakh during 2008-09.

    148 Farmers' Training Programmes were conducted for up-gradation of farmers' knowledge on crop production technology. The expenditure on this programme was Rs.37.20 lakhs @ Rs.15,000 /- per training programe involving 50 farmers. A total of 7400 farmers were trained.

    During 2008-09, Rs. 27.15 lakhs have been proposed for 181 no of Farmers' Training Programme.

    The achievement during 2007-08 and progrmme for 2008-09 are annexed in Annexure-III [See Page No. 22]

Maize Crop Development [ISOPOM (Maize)]:

    Maize is grown in 2.15 lakh hectares in the State. Kharif Maize alone contributes about 2.02 lakh hectares. It is cultivated on a large scale in Ganjam, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Koraput, Nawarangpur, Mayurbhanj and Kalahandi districts. The productivity of Maize in the State is likely to be 2218 kg per hectare. In Nawarangpur its productivity is the highest in the State. Incentive to maize growers are provided under centrally sponsored scheme-ISOPOM (Maize). During 07-08 the following programmes have been taken up.

    Integrated Pest Management in Maize crop was taken up during 2007-08 through 26 nos. of demonstrations with an expenditure of Rs.5.20 lakh.

    It is proposed to conduct 69 nos. of IPM demonstrations with an outlay of Rs.15.08 lakh in 2008-09.

    Training Programme were organized for Maize growing farmers through 93 camps during 2007-08 with an expenditure of Rs.13.95 lakh.

     During 2008-09 it is proposed to conduct 90 such training programmes with an outlay of Rs.13.50 lakh.

    1680 plant protection equipments were supplied to the Maize farmers for taking of plant protection measures during 2007-08 with a cost of Rs.1 1.76 lakh.

    During 2008-09 it is proposed to spend Rs.32.55 lakh on supply of 4650 sprayers at subsidized rates.

    About 140 quintals of certified seeds were sold to the farmers at subsidized rate of Rs.800/- per quintal during 2007-08 involving subsidy of Rs.1.12 lakh. This component will continue during 2008-09 with an outlay of Rs.3.12 lakh.

     To facilitate irrigation facilities 120 numbers of HDPE pipe sets will be sold at subsidized rate with an outlay of Rs.14.63 lakh dring 2008-09.

    The achievements during 2007-08 and programme for 2008-09 is annexed in Annexure-III [See Page No. 22]

Intensive Cotton Development Programme (ICDP):

      Cotton is a major commercial crop predominately grown in the KBK districts in Kharif. Area coverage under cotton is growing in Bolangir, Kalahandi, Ganjam and Rayagada Districts. During 2006-07 emphasis was laid on area expansion, use of quality/ hybrid seeds, and intensification of IPM practices. The interventions made under ICDP during 2007-08 and proposed for 2008-09 are as under.

    Basing on the success of the programme taken up last year, 90 Farmer's Field Schools @ 17,000/- per FFS with an expenditure of Rs15.30 lakh were taken up during 2007-08.

    During 2008-09, 150 Farmer's Field Schools will be taken up with an outlay of Rs.25.50 lakh.

    As cotton is one of the sophisticated crops grown in the state and the extension agencies play a key role for its development, training programmes for extension workers were organized during 2007-08 in 7 batches with an expenditure of Rs.1 .05 lakh.

     During 2008-09, it is proposed to conduct 7 such training programmes with a cost of Rs.1 .05 lakh.

     During 2007-08, 45 sprinkler sets were distributed at subsidized rates at a cost of Rs.5.62 lakh. This component will continue during 2008-09. A subsidy amount of Rs.15.00 lakh has been proposed for distribution of 100 sprinkler sets.

    About 2550 manually operated sprayers and 120 power-operated sprayers have been supplied at subsidized rate to the cotton growers and a total subsidy amount of Rs.22.80 lakh was provided during 2007-08.

    During 2008-09, programme for sale of 5700 sprayers have been proposed with a financial outlay of Rs.48.00 lakh.

    Pest Surveillance in cotton at regular intervals was made through Farmer scouts on daily basis for 5 months for which an honorarium of Rs.500.00 per month per scout was paid. 7 districts were covered under this component during 2007-08 with an expenditure of Rs.7.00 lakhs.

    Those 7 districts will also be covered under this component during 2008-09 with a financial outlay of Rs.7.00 lakh.