| |
The
need to grow more food was felt during the 19th Century because
of the increasing pressure of population. According to the
recommendation of Famine Commission(1881), Agriculture
Department was established in 1883. Work started with the aim of
helping the rural community to achieve higher productivity in
agriculture. Agriculture and Land Records Departments were
functioning together till 1907. After getting encouraging
results in an effort made during 1915-16 to stop soil loss, Mr
Kitting, the then Agriculture Director started soil conservation
work from 1922.
Agriculture Department took up various land development
activities with the enactment in 1942 and subsequent enforcement
of Land Development Act in 1943. For the first time in 1943, the
then Government prepared a comprehensive Agriculture Policy
considering the problems in agriculture and allied sectors.
According to this policy, emphasis was given on use of water as
irrigation for agricultural crops.
The post independence period from 1950 to 1965 is recognized as
pre Green Revolution period. During this period several schemes
were launched to boost growth of agriculture sector. Production
of quality seeds through Taluka Seed Farms started during 1957.
Emphasis was given on increase in irrigated area along with
cultivated area during this period. A special campaign was
launched in 1961-62 to encourage use of chemical fertilizers.
Development of hybrid varieties of different crops since 1965-66
laid down the foundation of Green Revolution. Five year plans
following this period specially emphasized development of
agriculture. Nala bunding work was taken up along with land
development work by the department since 1974 which led to
increase in well and ground water level. Introduction of
intensive agriculture, comprising of large scale use of improved
seed, fertilizers, pesticides and available water helped
increase in agriculture production. Lateron, considering the
need for providing guidance to the farmers for proper and
judicious use of these inputs, Training and Visit Scheme was
launched in 1981-82. Valuable contribution of this scheme
through effective implementation of programs like Crop
Demonstrations, Field Visits, Corner meetings, Workshops, Fairs,
Exhibitions etc. aimed at transfer of technology from
Agriculture Universities to farmers fields was evident from the
increased agricultural production.
Though we have become self sufficient in food grain production
inspite of the tremendous increase in population, self
sufficiency in agriculture is not the only aim of the state but
assurance of more and more net income to the farmers through the
efficient and sustainable use of available resources is more
important. To achieve this, commercial agriculture should be
practiced. Different schemes are implemented to increase
agricultural production, export promotion and to encourage the
agro processing industry with a view to take advantage of
liberalized economy and Global trade. Thus, agriculture
department is firmly stepping towards economic progress along
with self sufficiency through agriculture and to achieve
important position in the global agriculture produce market. The
innovative horticulture plantation scheme under employment
gurantee scheme implemented by the state is a part of this
policy.
Agriculture department considers farmer as the focal point and
the whole department is organized in such a fashion that a
single mechanism is working to facilitate the farmer for
adoption of advanced technology and sustainable use of available
resources. Every agriculture assistant working at village level
has a jurisdiction of three to four villages with number of
farmers limited to 800 to 900 which facilitates more interaction
for easier transfer of technology.
Agriculture Assistant at village level undertakes soil
conservation work, horticulture plantation and various extension
schemes. He is supervised by Circle Agriculture Officer at
circle level. Administrative control, laison with other
departments, monitoring and training programs etc. are
facilitated by Taluka Agriculture Officer at taluka level, Sub
Divisional Agriculture Officer at sub division level, District
Superintending Agriculture Officer at district level and
Divisional Joint Director at division level. In addition,
Agriculture Officer at Panchayat Samiti level, working under
Agriculture Development Officer, Zilla Parishad at district
level also implement various agro-inputs related schemes.
All the schemes implemented in the field are supervised
technically and administratively by respective directorates of
Soil Conservation, Horticulture, Extension and Training, Inputs
and Quality Control, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation and
Planning and Budget at state level in the Commissionerate of
Agriculture. Also separate sections are there for the
Establishment and Accounts related matters.
|
