Panel to look into SAZ proposal, says Dakshina Kannada DC

Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha said that the district administration is considering the proposal to set up a special agriculture zone (SAZ) on the model of special economic zone (SEZ) in Dakshina Kannada.

He was speaking at a meeting of farmer leaders at his office on Wednesday.

The farmers said that locally cultivated vegetables and fruits have high demand abroad. Hence, a special agriculture zone should be set up in the district.

The deputy commissioner said that a committee with officials, agriculture experts and farmer leaders will be constituted to look into the proposal on SAZ.

The committee will submit its report within two months. The district administration to ready to hand over the required land to set up SAZ.

Complaints received
He said that he has received complaints on hospitals charging exorbitant fees from patients who are availing of treatment under the Yashaswini scheme. A meeting of representatives of the hospitals that are registered under the Yashaswini scheme will be convened. The representatives will be issued a direction, said the officer.

Dr Jagadeesha said that a district-level workshop will be organised to furnish details to farmers on the horticultural crop processing unit. A workshop to create awareness on yellow leaf disease in crops will be organised in Sullia. If there is any case related to delay in lending money to farmers by banks, then it should be brought to the notice of Lead Bank manager, he directed.

The deputy commissioner  also said that he will direct the concerned officers to organise farmers’ meetings at taluk-level in future.

The officials said that a proposal to construct 53 vented dams at a cost of Rs 69 crore has been submitted to the state government for approval.

The vented dams would be utilised to provide irrigation facilities for agricultural activities in the district. About 1,000 small vented dams would be constructed in gram panchayats utilising the funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Agriculture department joint director Kempe Gowda said that there is good response from farmers for custom-hiring centres to rent out farm machinery. Land to construct Raitha Samparka Kendra at Moodbidri has been handed over to the Agriculture department and the centre will come up within one year.