Government to launch 'Krishi Dak service' soon

NEW DELHI: The government is set to launch a new scheme ' Krishi Dak Service' aimed at distribution of improved seed varieties to farmers at their doorstep through post-offices.

The government's agri-research body Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has already initiated a pilot project in 20 rural districts.

"After its success, this scheme will now be implemented in 100 districts of 14 states through select Krishi Vigyan Kendras to provide seeds to the farmers at their doorstep," Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Another new scheme 'Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav' is being launched to involve all the agricultural experts of the agricultural universities and ICAR institutes in the country for effective and deeper reach of scientific farming to the villages, the minister was quoted as saying in the speech copy issued by the Agriculture Ministry.

"Each expert will associate himself with one particular village for guidance for agricultural development through new technologies and creation of awareness about the role of these institutes in addressing agri-related problems," he said.

Under this scheme, around 20,000 agriculture scientists are being given the responsibility for adopting one village each for creating scientific awareness about modern farming practices, he added.

The Minister appreciated ICAR's contribution in improving farm productivity and farm income and said that the organisation is "committed to overcome farm constraints to make Indian agriculture truly sustainable and profitable."