Gujarat State cabinet meet held in the headship of CM 

*******

Meet reviews the fodder distribution plan for

Saurashtra, Kutch and north Gujarat regions

*******

Approval to various incentive schemes for farmers and NGOs

with a view to encourage fodder cultivation

*******

Order issued for giving Rs.25 per animal per day to

every Gaushala and cattle feeding houses

*******

Fodder depot will be started in the village cluster of the radius of 15-km

*******

91 fodder depot in scarcity-hit regions

*******

The State cabinet meet, headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, today reviewed the plan forfodder management and distribution in connection with water scarcity in Saurashtra, Kutchand North Gujarat. The meet took decision of giving an assistance of Rs.25 per animal per day to every Gaushala and cattle feeding houses managed by NGO/trusts in scarcity-hit areas.

Giving details of the decisions taken in the meet state government spokespersons HealthMinister Jay Narayan Vyas and Minister of State Saurabh Patel said the government, in itsscarcity management plan and district contingency plan, has given priority to making availablesufficient fodder to the animals.

Spokespersons said that at present fodder is being distributed through 91 fodder depots at the concessional rate of rupees two per kg. So far, about 11 lakh kilo fodder has already been distributed to cattle-breeders. Considering the need of more number of fodder depots thegovernment will form village clusters in every 15 km. radius and will start new fodder depots there on war footing. The government is in the process of purchasing five crore kilogram of fodder from open market. Orders have been issued for providing this fodder to the cattle-breeders at the concessional rate of Rs.2/kg, added the spokespersons.

Besides, the orders have been issued for implementation of various incentive schemes relatedto the cultivation of green fodder. The incentive schemes are as follows:

·        A special allocation of Rs.75 crore has been approved for providing free-of-cost seeds and fertilizer kits to the farmers (for 2 acres) and to the organizations (for 10 acres).

·        Incentive of Rs.5000 per hectare will be given for the cultivation of fodder.

·        A grant of Rs.20,000 per hectare (maximum to rupees one lakh) will be given toeach village panchayat for removing wild babul and cultivating fodder in the five hectare of gochar land of the village.  

·        Approval for cultivating fodder will be given to individual farmers (2 to 2.5 acre) and to voluntary organizations/trusts (up to 25 acre) in the land of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam which falls along both the sides of Narmada canal. Water will also be made available for one year without cost.

·        Farmers’ contribution for using 2322 wells of water resource developmentcorporation will be do away with and instead the farmers will be given facility for dripirrigation at 100 percent government expense.

·        In order to meet the scarcity of drinking water, approval has been given toagriculture produce market committees for giving contribution up to a limit of Rs.50 lakhfrom the market fund, with the consent of taluka committee.

The government is committed to provide sufficient fodder to the animals and for efficientimplementation of these incentive schemes. State government will spare no efforts in providing sufficient fodder to the animals, spokespersons said.