A mass campaign to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetable production and a network of agro parks for value addition of crops are the highlights of the agriculture sector in the revised budget presented by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac in the Assembly on Friday.
In his budget speech, Dr. Isaac announced the repeal of the clause in the Finance Bill 2014-15 which provided for regularisation of paddy field conversion prior to 2008.
The budget has allocated Rs.100 crore for the horticulture sector with a matching share expected from local bodies.
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Promising to create as many job opportunities as possible under the employment guarantee scheme, Dr. Isaac said the focus would be on watershed-based soil and water conservation projects. The budget proposes a campaign to provide 100 days of guaranteed employment for all willing labourers in cleaning of canals and ponds, construction of rainwater pits and planting of trees. The budget seeks to remove all hurdles to the modernisation of the coir and cashew sectors.