NASHIK, JUNE 15: In an unprecedented decision which will have far-reaching consequences in rural Maharashtra, the Manohar Joshi government has decided to introduce crop planning from next year.State Agriculture Minister, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil who visited Nashik to address a divisional meeting on the forthcoming Kharif season said a district-wise blueprint of the cropping pattern would be drawn up within the next six months in consultation with agricultural universities. Based on the blueprint, a master plan on the cropping pattern for the next five years would be prepared, taking into consideration the soil, climate, land available, irrigation facilities, seed and fertiliser requirements.Though the master plan would envisage optimum utilisation of land and resources and would be aimed at preventing either a glut or scarcity of any crop, the move may open a Pandora's Box in rural Maharashtra. Farmers have traditionally been free to cultivate crops of their choice on whatever area of land they wanted.The master plan might issue directives to farmers on crops/fertilisers and the area of cultivation, which would result in a backlash by farmers.Vikhe-Patil further said a bill would be presented during the Monsoon Session of the state legislature to curb malpractices by seed producers and distributors. Under the new law, a government licence and an approval from an agricultural university would be mandatory for seed producers and distributors. The Shiv Sena-BJP government is not `anti-farmer' as is being portrayed by the Opposition, he said, adding a whopping Rs 250 crore has been paid as compensation to farmers in a single year, against the maximum Rs 19 crore paid by the previous government. A comprehensive crop insurance scheme will also be introduced from August 15, running parallel to the one introduced by the Central Government, he said.
