Bengaluru: The State Budget for 2018-19 proposes to implement a scheme to waive off the loan of up to one lakh rupees taken by a farmer member from a primary agricultural credit co-operative society on his death. The expenses under the scheme will be met under the co-partnership of Apex Bank and DCC Bank.
“In commemoration of the centenary year of Karnataka Central Co-operative Bank, Dharwad and District Co-operative Bank, Vijayapura subsidy of Rs.5 crore each from the Government and the Apex Bank will be given for the construction of a building,’’ the chief minister said.
In order to get more price for the produce of farmers, quality analysis laboratories will be established in 25 selected Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees for pulses, oil seeds and food grains and will be subjected to quality analysis. For this scheme, Rs.2.5 crore will be provided at Rs.10 lakh for each committee. “More than 25,000 hamalis are working in the Agricultural Marketing Committees of the State. In the present year, 1,000 homeless hamalis will be identified and provided housing on a priority basis under the various housing schemes of the Government. During 2018-19, a total amount of Rs 5837 crore is provided to Co-operation Department,’’ he said.
2,500 sheep rearing units
Sheep and Goat rearing is a profitable sub occupation of farmers in the State. Sheep rearing will be encouraged through financial assistance from National Co-operative Development Corporation (N.C.D.C).
“Emphasis will be given for sheep rearing by establishing 25,000 units. Government will give guarantee for Rs.187.5 crore loan to be given by the N.C.D.C. Government has taken all steps to overcome shortage of fodder to the livestock due to continuous drought situation in the State. To prevent shortage of fodder in future, ‘State Fodder Security Policy’ for next five years will be formulated with programmes to increase fodder produce by expanding fodder growing area, seed production, jala krushi Hydrophonics), green fodder production etc., and it will be implemented through PPP model,’’ the chief minister announced.
He said there are about 4,000 migratory shepherds in the State, who move from place to place with the herd for grazing unmindful of rain, wind and sun. To provide protection to these shepherds and their sheep, grant of Rs.4 crore will be provided for procurement of materials like temporary tent, iron wire fencing and other inputs during 2018-19.
“About 50 to 60 lakh sheep and goats are being slaughtered annually for meat in the State. For value
addition to the skin of sheep and goat, Skin Processing and Tanning Centre will be established at a cost of Rs.2 crore. Presently, Disease diagnostic laboratories are functioning only in 14 districts of the State. It has been planned to extend the Disease diagnostic laboratory facilities to all the remaining 16 districts in the next three years,’’ he said.
The budget proposes to establish disease diagnostic laboratories will be established in Gadag, Koppal, Vijayapura, Raichur and Dharwad Districts, for which a grant of Rs. 3 crore is provided during 2018-19.
“An amount of Rs.7.5 crore will be spent for modernization of 75 sheep/goat markets in the State by
providing weighing machine, water facility and sheep yard with wire fencing and shade facility.
Incentive of Rs.55 crore will be provided to the staff of 14,000 Milk Producers’ Co-operative Societies
functioning in the State on the basis of quality milk collection at 20 paise per litre. Out of this Milk
Federations and Government will bear 10 paise each,’’ he said.
The budget proposes that outstanding dues of medium term loan up to a limit of Rs.50,000 availed by shepherds from Cooperative banks up to the end of 31.12.2017 for sheep and goat rearing will be waived. This will benefit 12,205 shepherds to the extent of Rs.52 crore. Total amount of Rs. 2377 crore is provided during the year 2018-19 to Animal Husbandry Department,’’ he said.
