Promote mixed cropping among farmers for higher yield, says Mandya Deputy Commissioner

Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar instructed officials in the Agriculture Department to promote mixed cropping and alternative crops among farmers so as to reap higher yields.

Chairing a meeting of the Coordination Committee on Agricultural Statistics in Mandya on December 8, Dr. Kumar said farmers in the district still follow traditional agricultural practices and grow crops that reduce soil fertility.

‘’Mixed cropping and alternative crops or crop rotation should be emphasised as it helps improve soil fertility,’’ he added, saying that greater awareness should be created among farmers regarding cultivating horticulture crops as well.

Dr. Kumar said a crop survey has already been conducted in the district but in some places, the survey data entered is incorrect. Hence, officials were instructed to rectify data entry errors in the systems and take action against the staff responsible for submitting faulty crop survey information.

The officials were directed to ensure that crop cutting rates are not fixed arbitrarily by middlemen for paddy and ragi crop harvesting. Arbitrary rate fixation causes inconvenience to farmers, so concerned officials must hold meetings and fix appropriate rates for harvesting these two crops. Action should be initiated against owners of mechanised harvesters who charge above the fixed rates, said Dr. Kumar.

The Deputy Commissioner also convened the district-level coordination committee of registration of births and deaths and warned of legal action against those who issue fake birth and death certificates.

Secretaries of gram panchayats have been authorised to register births and deaths. If birth or death certificates are not procured within 30 days, one must approach the tahsildar and if the delay exceeds one year, a birth or death certificate must be obtained through the court, said Dr. Kumar.

Pointing out that people in rural areas are not fully aware of birth and death certification procedures, he urged the local body officials to create awareness among the public about their importance.

The Deputy Commissioner also took note of the delay in issuance of birth certificates in hospitals and said that the births of 30 children over one year in the district were yet to be registered. ‘’Under no circumstances should there be delays in issuing birth certificates,’’ he cautioned and directed anganwadi and ASHA workers to create public awareness on birth and death certificates within 30 days.

Senior officials of the district administration, including District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. K. Mohan, Joint Director of Agriculture Ashok, Joint Director of Horticulture Roopashree, and others were present.