Mini Mission II is concerned with transfer of technology. It is envisaged to improve the productivity of cotton by 50% in the next 5 years through emphasis on Transfer of Technology
(ii)
Nodal Agency for Mini Mission II is Ministry of Agriculture,
Government of India.
(iii)
There is a gap between yield obtained in the farmers' fields and Chat obtained in national demonstrations. The gap can be bridged by proper transfer of technology particularly of integrated water, nutrition & Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It has been seen that IPM Technology not only increases the yield but also reduces the cost of cultivation thereby increasing the net return of the farmers. Supply of inputs particularly certified seeds will also receive priority in Mini Mission-II.
(iv)
One of the important components of IPM is use of bio-pestiddes such as Neem, Btpesticide etc and use of bio-agents (parasites and predators) for management of both sucking pests and bollworms. This is cost effective and Eco-friendly.
(v)
In CCI sponsored demonstration of IPM Technology, the net return to farmers in North India, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh has gone up by Rs.820/-, Rs.10,000/- and Rs.19,000/- per hectare respectively.
Development (Transfer of Technology)
(i)
The ICDF which Is the main Instrument of Transfer of Technology are covering only 43 cotton growing districts which will be enlarged to cover ail the cotton growing districts Including the districts in the non-traditional cotton growing areas under TMC.
(ii)
Many viable technologies like technologies on water management in irrigated and rainfed cotton, drip irrigation, etc. will receive priority in transfer of technology.
(iii)
Subsidy on drip/sprinkler Irrigation is provided to enable the farmers to install the system particularly In rainfed cotton growing areas.
Certified Seeds
(i)
Availability of subsidized certified seeds will be ensured through I CDP.
(ii)
Taking into consideration the seed rate of varieties & hybrids and seed rate of varieties grown in three cotton growing zones of the country, it is estimated that 8.10 lakh quintals Will be required to cover 9 million hectares at 100% seed replacement rate. Hardly 30% of varietal seeds are certified. State Seeds Corporations have failed miserably to provide required quantity of certified seeds to the growers. They have to enhance their credibility as well as competitive in price. I CDP can increase subsidy to certified seeds to help SSCS cater to the needs of growers.
IPM Technology
Validation and dissemination of IPM technology will receive priority in view of the fact that one of the main reasons for decline in cotton production and productivity in recent years is due to damage caused by pests. Incidentally, IPM technology also reduces the cost of production, which consequently gives the farmers a better return.
Development Agencies
The following are the Agencies which should be involved in the of the Mini Mission - II.
(1)
Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture.
(6)
ICMF-CDRA,
(2)
State Departments of Agriculture of Cotton Growing States,
(7)
SIMA-CDRA,
(3)
ICAR,
(8)
Krishi Vigyan Kendras of I CAR
(4)
CCI,
(9)
Other NGOs
(5)
EICA,
Role of CCI
(i)
CCI is engaged in Transfer of Technology Programme to supplement the efforts of Ministry of Agriculture, to improve the production, productivity and quality of cotton. The most important extension activity of CCI is the Village Adoption Programme which is conducted on "One Variety One Village" concept, where farmers are provided with inputs at Cost or subsidy and provided with latest technologies of cotton production to improve yield.
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has already initiates action to launch the TMC by appointing Shri M.B. Lal, former Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Cotton Corporation of India Ltd., as Adv:ser(TMC-Mini Mission III & Mini Mission IV)
