The Horticulture Department is expected to stop procuring certified potato seeds from next year. Deputy Director of Horticulture A.B. Sanjay hinted at this at an interaction with mediapersons here on Tuesday.
For the last few years, the department procured certified seeds and sold the same to interested farmers with 50% subsidy. “The records show that our efforts to provide certified seeds to farmers have not helped in terms of yield. The department spent money towards subsidy. However, there is no improvement in yield,” he explained.
The officer said that Minister for Public Works H.D. Revanna, who is also in-charge of Hassan district, had also suggested against procuring certified seeds. “He favoured providing seed potatoes that private merchants procure, instead of certified seeds. The department will take the final decision in this regard soon,” he said. Potato is a kharif crop, grown in over 12,000 ha in the district.
Following incessant drought in parts of Arsikere and Channarayapatna, more than 14.13 lakh coconut trees died in the last three years. The department had been encouraging farmers to take up re-plantation of coconut by offering ₹400 per plant as a subsidy, the officer said.
