BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has fixed a target of disbursing cooperative loan of ` 1,700 crore for the ensuing rabi season against the backdrop of the devastating floods and drought in the year. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Saturday. While about 13,000 farmers took cooperative loans during the last rabi, this time target has been set to cover 15,900 farmers. Agricultural activities will be taken up in 31.47 lakh hectares during this rabi. The meeting also resolved to extend time for repayment of cooperative loans taken last year by farmers. Naveen underscored the need to supply seeds and fertiliser to farmers so that they can overcome the crop loss due to devastating floods and drought. He asked the officials to launch a massive awareness campaign among the farmers about the decision. According to inputs given by the Agriculture Department, supply of seeds and fertilisers to the farmers is adequate and satisfactory. The Chief Minister directed the Water Resources Department to repair and renovate lift-irrigation projects partially functioning or defunct. Target was fixed by the State Government to complete 5,000 check dams by May next year to create irrigation facilities in more areas. The meeting was informed that construction of 3,000 projects had started. Official sources said the Chief Minister directed the agriculture and related departments to ensure rabi crop is taken up extensively in districts affected by drought and floods. As many as 21 districts were affected either by drought earlier this year and flood in September which affected the kharif crop. Development Commissioner RN Senapati and secretaries of Agriculture and Revenue departments attended the meeting.
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