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Briefing
REUTERS & AGENCIES
Cotton body's plan for better farming
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has asked state governments to recommend the names of villages to be adopted as part of its programme for dissemination of latest technology in cotton farming, the Lok Sabha was told on Friday. Replying to queries during Question Hour, textiles minister Kashiram Rana said CCI, in addition to its primary functions of commercial and minimum support price operations, has also taken initiatives of undertaking development and extension programmes for better cotton cultivation in the country supplementing the efforts of other agencies and government. Under this programme, CCI helps in funding research and development activities and projects relating to cotton and encouraging cultivation of cotton in non-traditional areas by creating awareness and educating farmers, he said.Tendu leaf collection
Tendu leaf collection is set to generate employment of 50 million mandays this year in Madhya Pradesh, where it will provide Rs 200 crore to nearly 24 lakh tribals engaged in it. Collection rate for a standard bag of tendu leaves is Rs 400 in the state except in district unions of Shivpuri, Bhopal, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and North Sagar where collection rate is Rs 300 per standard bag. All preparations for collection of tendu leaves have been completed at 30,000 collection centres and it is expected that Rs 190 crore, as wages for collection, and Rs 10 crore, for other packaging and other related activities, will be disbursed. Payment of wages will be made by the office bearers of minor forest produce cooperative societies in the presence of panchayat representatives. Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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