Fruit research station: Another victim of govt apathy
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NAGPUR: There seems to be no end to the step motherly and apathetic
attitude of the state government towards Vidarbha. One of the most
important research centre of the Akola-based Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi
Vidyapeeth (PDKV) at Katol, the fruit research station (FRS) is an ideal example of this.
Two years ago state government had sanctioned Rs14.4 crore as strengthening fund. It gave an administrative approval to the PDKV on August 5, 2010 (PDKV-2009/L.no 65/8-A)
for the amount but even after two years the university is yet to get the approval of the finance department, let alone receiving the money.
"When it comes to planning or releasing funds for health or agriculture Vidarbha always comes last for the state government. The Katol station is doing a good work and can actually be of great use to the region if the money comes to strengthen the infrastructure. But the government has not even given the financial approval to the money approved by it itself. Hope government releases the money during the ongoing winter session," said Manoj Jawanjal, secretary of Nagpuri Santra Utpadak Sangh in Katol. The farmers of the region have faith in the research station, hence during season they line up for planting material from as early as 5am.
The centre is known for developing a sweet orange variety called 'Katol Gold' and seedless Mandarin. The bud grafts of these varieties are supplied to the farmers of Vidarbha. Despite facing money and staff crisis the station has brought out 50 recommendations for better yield of fruits in different disciplines like horticulture, entomology, plant protection, soil chemistry, agronomy and plant physiology.
The area under citrus crop is increasing day by day. The production, marketing and pre and post harvest marketing problems are yet to be resolved to some extent. For the benefit of the citrus growers of the region, the strengthening of the research station with advance laboratory equipments is a need of the day.
Speaking to TOI, station in-charge Prof VS Gonge said, "Rs14.4 crore was sanctioned for a project meant to bring advance laboratory equipments, farmer's training centre and hostel under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The administrative approval for the project was given by state agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries department. But, the funds are yet to be released."
Two years ago state government had sanctioned Rs14.4 crore as strengthening fund. It gave an administrative approval to the PDKV on August 5, 2010 (PDKV-2009/L.no 65/8-A)
for the amount but even after two years the university is yet to get the approval of the finance department, let alone receiving the money.
"When it comes to planning or releasing funds for health or agriculture Vidarbha always comes last for the state government. The Katol station is doing a good work and can actually be of great use to the region if the money comes to strengthen the infrastructure. But the government has not even given the financial approval to the money approved by it itself. Hope government releases the money during the ongoing winter session," said Manoj Jawanjal, secretary of Nagpuri Santra Utpadak Sangh in Katol. The farmers of the region have faith in the research station, hence during season they line up for planting material from as early as 5am.
The centre is known for developing a sweet orange variety called 'Katol Gold' and seedless Mandarin. The bud grafts of these varieties are supplied to the farmers of Vidarbha. Despite facing money and staff crisis the station has brought out 50 recommendations for better yield of fruits in different disciplines like horticulture, entomology, plant protection, soil chemistry, agronomy and plant physiology.
The area under citrus crop is increasing day by day. The production, marketing and pre and post harvest marketing problems are yet to be resolved to some extent. For the benefit of the citrus growers of the region, the strengthening of the research station with advance laboratory equipments is a need of the day.
Speaking to TOI, station in-charge Prof VS Gonge said, "Rs14.4 crore was sanctioned for a project meant to bring advance laboratory equipments, farmer's training centre and hostel under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The administrative approval for the project was given by state agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries department. But, the funds are yet to be released."
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