Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran launched on Tuesday a Rs.5.5-crore scheme for making Cherandathur chira in Maniyur fit for paddy cultivation and expressed the hope that by bringing more land under paddy cultivation, the State would be able to considerably ease its rice deficit.Mr. Ratnakaran said that the launching of the scheme in Maniyur was part of a government programme to extend paddy cultivation by 40,000 hectares. With the increase in paddy yield, paddy-based industries would also come up, the Minister said.Emphasising the need to reduce dependence on other States for meeting food requirements of local people, the Minister said the State was spending Rs.500 crore annually to meet its food needs. But he was confident the food deficit could be overcome by 2010. K.P. Kunhammedkutty, president, district panchayat, presided over the function.The Minister also inaugurated the distribution of soil health card scheme in Kozhikode district at a function held at Peruvayal St. Xavier's UP School on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ratnakaran hoped the scheme would help people understand the value of soil better. He said the problems on the food front could be traced to the neglect of soil. Productivity was inextricably linked to health of the soil. Quality of soil also had a bearing on quality of human life, he said.He pointed out that though the average Keralite's life span had increased in recent years, the number of people living with diseases was also rising. As many as 120 soil health cards were distributed at the function. U.C. Raman, MLA, presided.
The Hindu, 19th November 2008
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