Expressing satisfaction over the implementation of the National Agricultural Development Programme (NADP) in Tiruchi and other districts in the State, P.T.Umashankar, NADP Monitoring and Implementing support consultant, has suggested formation of district-level committees for better coordination in project implementation.
Mr.Umashankar, who was on a visit to the district to evaluate the implementation of NADP over the past three days, told The Hindu that the components of the programme were largely being well implemented in most of the districts of the State. He has already covered about 15 districts and described his evaluation as an ongoing process. Pointing out that 12 line departments and two universities were involved in implementing the NADP, he suggested that district-level committees, possibly headed by the Collectors, could help in sorting out certain administrative issues and cutting down delays.
Each of these departments report to their respective heads, and district level committees could help bring about a convergence, he observed. The Central government, he said, was keen to ensure that components of the programme were designed to meet the requirements of the respective districts and its farmers.
He also emphasised the need for proper documentation of the programme and ensuring that farmers stuck to the new technologies adopted by them in the long run.
Dr.Umashankar inspected the different components of the programme implemented by various departments, including agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy development, fisheries, agricultural marketing, agricultural engineering and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
He inspected a private seed processing unit at Nagar near Lalgudi established with the assistance from NADP implemented by Department of Agriculture; a bio input production unit run by TANWABE Self Help Group at Thirumangalam; a sheep rearing unit at Azhagiamanavalam; the Maruthampatti Milk Producers Co-operative Society where a chilling unit, shredder, and automatic milking machine have been set up; the work on establishing a cold storage unit at Thuvarankurichi Regulated Market and Banana ripening unit at Anna Nagar Uzhavar Sandai in Tiruchi; and the government seed processing unit at Musiri. He also interacted with farmers who had benefitted from the programme at various villages.
Dr.Umashankar also chaired a meeting with officials of various departments involved in the implementation of the programme. J.Sekar, Joint Director of Agriculture, and district nodal officer, and R.Chandrasekaran, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Central Schemes), and other officials accompanied him.
