The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka to come out with Seed Act for horticulture crops

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of a seminar on `Opportunities for increasing raw cashew production in Karnataka,' organised by Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers' Association (KCMA) at Mudu Perar near Mangalore, he said, "A Seed Bill will be introduced in the Budget session of the State Legislature in this regard." Such an Act is there for agriculture crops in the State.

The Seed Act will help prevent seed adulteration. Citing some cases, he said that some farmers suffered heavy losses in the recent past due to the use of adulterated seeds.

To a query on filling up vacancies in the department, he said there is 40 per cent vacancy in the department, and the ministry will come out with a policy in this regard soon.

Inaugurating the seminar earlier, Mr Srinivas said the Government has submitted a Rs 4.5-crore proposal to the Union Government to improve cashew crops in the State. If accepted by the Union Government, the State Government will implement this cashew improvement project in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Kolar districts on a pilot basis, he said.

Terming cashew as the second important cash crop of Karnataka after coffee, he said the Government would give cashew plants to the members of KCMA free of cost. The association in turn will have to distribute these plants among farmers. The Minister handed over plants to 10 farmers on the occasion.

Mr Srinivas said that he has requested the Chief Minister, Mr Dharam Singh, to hand over 28,000 hectares of land of Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation — which is under the control of Forest Department — to the Horticulture Department. At present, Horticulture Department is unable to take up crop improvement on this land, he said.

Replying to the requests of cashew manufacturers to bring both raw cashew and cashew kernel under 4 per cent tax in the proposed value-added tax system, the Minister said he will speak to the State Finance Minister in this regard.

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