Rs. 56 Crore for Conservation Works.

The Department of Soil Survey and Soil Conservation will launch 45 projects to the tune of Rs 56.15 crore for soil and water conservation in the state this year, Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan said recently.

A total area of 20,417 hectares spread across the state will be covered by the projects under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) works, he said.

The projects are aimed at controlling waterlogging and drought and increasing agricultural productivity. Work on 81 projects worth Rs. 42.51 crore launched during past years will be continued. In the 2014-15 financial year, the government also plans to distribute Soil Health Cards to 7500 farmers, he said. So far, 35,000 cards have been distributed.

Ninety-six watershed development projects were implemented in the state during the 2013-14 financial year. The department hopes to complete works to the tune of Rs. 3.6 crore aimed at reviving and developing traditional water sources in Kuttanad, Upper Kuttanad and Onattukara agricultural regions. The project was originally launched in 2011-2012 in the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, and so far, works valued at Rs. 11.64 crore have been completed, the Minister said.

The government has earmarked Rs. 25.20 crore for Phase II works, which too have been kicked off in the three districts. In this phase, 213 ponds and 233 wells will be renovated and made usable.

The New Indian Express