BHAWANIPATNA: The Kalahandi district administration has decided to cover 3,83,721 hectares (ha) of agricultural land for the ensuing kharif season 2017.
At a district-level agriculture strategy meeting, chaired by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Chandramani Badanaik here on Thursday, it was decided to cover 1,85,383 ha for paddy, 14,364 ha for different types of millets, 11,780 ha for maize, 91,287 ha for pulses, 15,679 ha for oilseeds, 30,112 ha for vegetables and 55,000 ha for cotton cultivation in the kharif season.
Crop diversification, mixed cropping, special programme for millets in tribal areas and cotton cultivation have been given priority.
At least 17,509 ha of land will be used for crop diversification from paddy to non-paddy cultivation while 33,765 ha will be covered under mixed cropping. Considering the demand for cotton in the district, the cash crop will be cultivated in 55,000 ha against 53,001 ha in the last kharif.
The district administration has decided to supply 37,809 quintals of paddy and 2,268 quintals of non-paddy seeds through Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) to the farmers. The Odisha State Seeds Corporation Limited (OSSC) will produce quality paddy seeds in 1,490 ha under Seed Village Programme.
The ADM has asked the irrigation officials to ensure water supply to at least 1,96,352 ha through lift irrigation, bore wells, cluster bore wells, dug wells and water harvesting structures.
While Indravati Major Irrigation Project will provide water to 85,631 ha, 19,113 ha will be covered through 113 Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) and 9,306 ha through one Medium Irrigation Project.
Among others, agriculture scientists and officials of Cooperation, Agriculture and Irrigation departments were present.