Maha to set up study groups in Agro-Climatic Zones to boost agriculture development

As part of its micro-planning to boost agriculture development, Maharashtra Government will set up study groups in each of the nine Agro-Climatic Zones in the state.

The zones are earmarked on the basis of rainfall, soil type and vegetation.

According to officials, one or two zones fall in the jurisdiction of each of the four agricultural universities in the state and vice chancellors of these varsities will head the study groups.

"This (initiative) is the part of micro-planning. If there is drought in Marathwada and Konkan, climatic conditions are different in both regions. There's need to customise policy planning accordingly," agriculture officials said.

According to officials, having a single type of agriculture policy is not feasible since crop pattern, crop variety, soil and water conservation practices differ with region.

As per the plan, study groups will conduct a thorough research of land, soil, water, climate, market committees, agro processing, water and soil conservation, and recommend steps to be taken for agro development in their respective zones.

The study report will be submitted in four months.

Each zone will compile a list of 200 to 250 farmers and their assistance will be enlisted by the zonal study group to finalise the agriculture policy of the agro-climatic zones, officials said.

The groups will study the crop pattern, variety and sowing pattern besides various technologies to be used for crop production.

The government is also mulling amending existing schemes, creating opportunities for development of fisheries, boost commercial production and push for preservation, besides developing infrastructure for dairy development and storage of agro products.

While Vice Chancellor of Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Agriculture University in Dapoli will head the study group for south and north Konkan coastal zone, his counterpart at Mahatma Phule Agriculture University in Rahuri will represent transition zone 1, transition zone 2 and scarcity zone.

Vice Chancellor of Marathwada Agriculture University, Parbhani will head the group for assured rainfall zone and his counterpart at Dr Punjabrao Deshmukh Agriculture University, Akola will head the group for moderate rainfall zone and eastern vidarbha zone.