Centre launches pilot project of nutrition farm

The New Indian Express, May 10, 2013

By Express News Service - BHAWANIPATNA

10th May 2013 11:29 AM

The Union Ministry of Agriculture has launched a pilot project to set up nutrition farms in Kalahandi district.

The project is aimed at promoting cultivation of crops rich in critical micro nutrients to improve the nutrition level in food in those districts of the country which are affected by mal-nutrition.

The Central Government has earmarked ` 200 crore for the implementation of the  project. Besides Kalahandi, the project will be implemented in Boudh, Dhenkanal, Gajpati, Koraput and Malkangiri districts.

Deputy Director of Agriculture Kalahandi circle Kailash Chandra Behera said it is programmed to organise and demarcate the

clusters for the nutritionally rich selective bio fortified crops.

The varieties to be grown in Kalahandi are AD-43 paddy fortified with zinc and micro nutrients, HQPM - 1 to 5 varieties of maize which is rich in lysine and tryptophan and finger millet of PRM-1, VL-315 and VL-324 varieties which are rich in iron and zinc.

It is programmed to set up farms in the fields of beneficiaries.

Paddy will be raised in 100 clusters, maize in 230 and finger millets in 100. Each of the clusters will be of 10 hectares.

Seed, micro nutrients and fertiliser worth `5000 per hectare will be given to the beneficiaries while ` 500 per hectare will be given for miscellaneous expenses to execute the works.

The pilot project is a new concept and will be gradually popularised, added Behera.