Jan 11, 2007: The Statesman

Kalahandi tops in farm mechanism
Statesman News Service

BHAWANIPATNA, Jan. 10: With regard to the introduction of farm mechanism, Kalahandi is picking up in the past five years and is now leading other districts in the state. According to an assessment by the agriculture department, during current financial year, 1,687 power tillers were introduced in the state. Of 1,687, Kalahandi has received 267 power tillers, while Balasore got 215, 178 for Bargarh, 139 for Kendrapada and 120 for Sonepur. The cost of one power tiller is Rs 1.16 lakh and the subsidy granted by the government is Rs 27,500. In Kalahandi, there was NIL supply of power tillers in 2002 whereas during 2003-04, it was 28, during 2004-05 it was 51, during 2005-06 it was 223 and during the current financial year, it has reached 267. With regard to the introduction of agro-service centres also, Kalahandi is No.1. In April 2005, only one agro-service centre could be introduced whereas during the current year, 27 agro-service centres were established. With a package of Rs 6 lakh each, agro-service centre includes tractor, trolley, pump sets, sprayers, paddy ripper and transplanter. During the current financial year, 148 agro-service centres have been established out of which 27 were in Kalahandi.