The Karimnagar District Cooperative Central Bank’s Farmers’ Development Centre would provide inputs on technology, weather, crop variants and fertilisers to spur productivity

In a bid to create awareness on farming techniques and to increase productivity, the Karimnagar District Cooperative Central Bank (DCCB) on Sunday launched Farmers Development Centre, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

The FDC, launched in association with Nabard and e-fresh portal, would enlighten farmers about the latest farming technology and methods for increasing yield, DCCB chairman K. Ravinder Rao told reporters. It would also conduct soil and water testing and give appropriate suggestions to farmers on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and crops.

It would also sell the latest variety of seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and other agriculture tools etc. The FDC would educate the farmers about the need for developing vermin compost. They would also remove middlemen and ensure that farmers have direct linkage with the market so as to get better prices for their produce. The FDC would also provide weather forecast for farmers. Similar FDCs were being planned at Jagtial and Sircilla town, DCCB authorities said.

On the go

In order to ensure that the latest agricultural developments reach the grassroots-level farmers, the DCCB had also decided to launch ‘208 Rythu Ratham’. The specially-designed vehicle contains all information on the FDC and also facilities for the conduct of soil and water testing in the fields. It would also contain audio-video equipment for educating farmers on the latest farm technologies.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Karimnagar – May 12th, 2014