Food Minister GR Anil has said that unless the domestic production of rice is doubled, Kerala will face a crisis in the coming years.
Speaking after inaugurating the paddy transplantation in the fields at Pallipuram, he said that Supplyco would procure paddy from farmers at remunerative rates to encourage production. The government was taking steps to promote agriculture by giving various incentives. He said that farmers would get an incentive of up to ₹ 25,000 per hectare under the Integrated Paddy Development Scheme implemented by the Gram Panchayats, he called upon the farmers to take advantage of the crop insurance scheme.
Under the scheme, about 30 acres of land lying fallow for the last 15 years is being brought under paddy cultivation. In the first phase of the project, 11 acres were prepared for transplantation by the workers under the Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Andurkonam gram panchayat president S. Harikumar said that efforts are on to make all the fertile lands of the panchayat ready for cultivation. He said that there are plans to start a comprehensive horticulture scheme in 18 acres spread over 18 wards of the Panchayat.
Block Panchayat President Hariprasad presided over the inaugural function. Farmers, Panchayat officers and officers of Agriculture Department were present on this occasion.