www.agmarknet.nic.in

Our mission, Commitment & Performance

for Development of Agriculture in

We dedicate ourselves in serving the farmers community in the Islands, create employment avenues, increase the agriculture production and to uplift the Socio-Economic conditions of the weaker sections of the islanders. We are bound to ensure accountability and transparency in providing services to the farmers and enforcing rules and regulations.

OUR COMMITMENTS

We commit to integrity and judiciousness, objectivity, transparency, courtesy and understanding the problems of the islanders, particularly of the farmers community. We will be polite respect towards rights, always welcome suggestions from them, try our level best to redress, grievances as early as possible, to simplify the rules and procedures for disposal of grievances within a limited time.

We shall ensure easy access of the people to all information relating to Government activities and decisions, except to the extent required to be excluded on specific ground like national security.

We assure to improve the efficiency of the officers and staff of the Department through trainings. Farmers must have access to accept our services through extension services.

We will review valuable suggestions/guidance periodically for improvement of working of the Department towards the Upliftment of the farmers of these Islands.

OBJECTIVE

• Raising agricultural production and productivity through wider adoption of appropriate eco-specific and cost-effective technology.
• Bringing more area under high yielding, hybrid and improved varieties of crops through increased supply of quality seed and planting materials.
• Increasing Cropping intensity.
• Intensifying of farmers training and conducting of demonstration in farmers field on the latest know-how.
• Intensification of programmes benefiting tribals and women farmers in the villages.
• Farmers to be encouraged for mechanization through the use of agricultural implements and machineries.
• Sustainable agriculture through IPM, INM, Watershed and organic cultivation to be emphasized and popularized.
• Infrastructural facilities of the existing Govt. farms to be strengthened for the production of quality seeds, planting materials, and developing them as model demonstration centres for the farmers.
• Emphasis would be given on crisis management in the event of natural calamities.
• Study tour and training (Mainland/overseas) for technical staff will be priority.

The main responsibility of our Department is to develop agriculture in the Islands in a systematic and scientific line. Taking into consideration of the financial backwardness of the farmers of these Islands, we are providing the following facilities:-

1. Various Agriculture Loans: The Agriculture Department provide long term loan to the farmers of these Islands to undertake Soil Conservation work in their holdings. For obtaining the facility, the concerned farmer should fill-up the application form alongwith all records of the land where the Soil Conservation work has to be undertake to the Soil Conservation staff posted to various zones. After inspection of the land, the soil conservation staff posted in the area will prepare a scheme and send the same alongwith the application to the Directorate of Agriculture. After obtaining necessary approval from the Administration, the scheme is implemented in the field of the farmers. Before execution of the work, the farmer is required to execute a bond in the prescribed form to the effect that the actual cost will be incurred as per the direction of the Soil Conservation Officer. 50% of the loan provided is treated as subsidy at the end of 6^th year, subject to regular payment of interest upto 5 years and taken up follow up programme on the land. In normal case, the scheme will be sanctioned will be sanctioned within 45 days. further details can be had from the zonal officers posted at different zones. The grievances related to the above can be submitted to the grievances officer, Directorate of Agriculture for settlement. The grievances left un settled, can be brought to the notice of the Director of Agriculture in writing. Or in person or over (phone No. 33257)
2. Subsidies provided by the Department

1. The Department of Agriculture provide 20% cost subsidy to the farmers on all seeds and planting material imported from mainland.
2. 15% cost subsidy is allowed to Nitrogenous and pottassic fertilizer and 25% cost subsidy is provided on phosphatic fertilizers.
3. 100% transport subsidy is provided on all seeds, fertilizers and tarpauline. While procuring these inputs from the sub-depots situated at different Islands, the farmers have to pay only the subsidized cost.
4. 20% cost subsidy and 100% transport subsidy is provided to the cultivators on planting materials imported from mainland. Seedling produced in the nurseries are distributed at concessional rate. Planting materials are distributed at door or through sub-depots and are also available at the departmental nurseries directly as per convenience of the farmers.

2. Subsidy to Planting Protection Chemicals and Planting Equipments

25% cost and 100% transport subsidy in provided on all Planting Protection Equipments and Chemicals. The farmers have to pay only the subsidized rate while procuring these inputs from the sub-depots. Any complaint in this regard may be made to the public grievances officer, Director of Agriculture, or the Director of Agriculture in writing or in person or over phone.

3. Farmers Training Programme etc.

Various training programme like one day camp, 2 day training camps, churcha mondals are organize by the department for the farmers. TA/DA will be borne by the department as per pattern of assistance provided in the scheme of the department. Selection will be done through the involvement of PRIs.

4. Subsidy on Purchase of Tractors.

For timely field operation of the farmers of these Islands, the department provide assistance to the farmers for purchase of tractor by their-own by availing subsidies from the department. 30% cost subsidy or Rs. 30,000/- whichever is less and 100% transport subsidy is provided by the department. In order to avail the facility, the progressive farmer is required to apply in a plain paper with details of land possessed by him alongwith the recommendation of the zonal officers to the Directorate of Agriculture, Port Blair. the application will be scrutinized at the Directorate level within 15 days. There is a state level committee constituted for selecting the farmers by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. After selecting the farmers as beneficiaries by the state level committee, the cases of selected beneficiaries will be forwarded to the bank for sanction of loan component and to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for sanction of subsidy portion. After obtaining sanction from the Administration, the subsidy portion will be handed over to the bank within 5 days. Complaint/grievance if any in this regard can be lodged with the grievances officer in the Directorate of Agriculture by writing or personally or over phone.

5. Crop Insurance Facilities

The annual crops which are prone to natural disaster like cyclone, heavy rains, drought, severe pest and diseases need to be cover under Crop Insurance to provide an element of Economic relief to the farmers. Therefore, the department is providing 50% premium component of the insured amount covering crop loan sanctioned by the commercial and State Cooperative banks in the season. This subsidy pattern is as suggested in the Crop Insurance scheme by the GOI. This department and the percentage of loss intimated to the GIC for compensation.

6. Subsidy to Coconut Cultivation.

To boost up the production of the existing plantation and to uplift the Socio-Economic status of the coconut growers of these Islands a new scheme "Technology Mission on development of coconut in Andaman and Nicobar Islands" has been included during IX^th Five Year Plan. Under the scheme the Department proposed to provide assistance to the farmers for area expansion, Rejuvenation of old plantation cutting and removal of senile/up productive palms. To meet the demand of agriculture inputs the department will procure and distribute fertilizer/seedlings/barbed wire/irrigation facilities etc at subsidized rate. But the pattern of assistance provided under the scheme has not yet approved by the Government when the approval received from the GOI, and scheme has been implemented, the farmers can avail the facility through sub-depots/zonal officers.

7. Tractors for Hiring

Departmental tractors are provided for ploughing at nominal rate of Rs. 60/- per hour. The farmers can avail the facility through the various zonal officers.

8. Subsidy for Ponds and Pumpsets.

To supplement irrigation facilities to the farmers by way of digging Minor Irrigation Ponds and supply of pumpsets subsidy is provided by the department. 1/3 cost of ponds/pumpsets is provided by the department as subsidy and 2/3rd as loan by NABARD/Shramdan incase of Minor Irrigation Pond and cash contribution in case of pumpset.

Prescribed form for this is available with the Directorate of Agriculture and all zonal officers. The farmers are to submit their application through the Agriculture staff posted at various zones. The farmers can avail the subsidy benefit under the Minor Irrigation scheme in the following manner: -

MINOR IRRIGATION SCHEME

1. Excavation of ponds on shramdan-cum-subsidy.
2. Excavation of ponds on loan-cum-subsidy.
3. Supply of pumpset on cash-cum-subsidy.
4. Supply of pumpset on loan-cum-subsidy.

1. Excavation of Ponds on Shramdan-cum-Subsidy.

The farmers can obtain the application form from Agriculture Demonstrators, Application duly filled may be submitted back to the Agriculture Demonstrator which will be forwarded by the zonal officers of the area concerned to the Director of Agriculture. The application will be scrutinized by the Assistant Engineer (Minor Irrigation). The application of selected farmers will be forwarded to the Administration for sanction of subsidy being 1/3^rd cost of the Minor Irrigation Pond. After obtaining sanction from the Administration the farmers will be directed to start the work under the technical supervision of the Departmental Officials. After the completion of work in all respect the subsidy amount will be handed over to the farmers.

Time taken

1. Scrutinizing at Directorate level - 15 days.

2. Sanction of subsidy by Administration - 45 days.

3. Execution of works - 45 days.

2. Excavation of Pond on Loan-cum-Subsidy

The procedure for selection of beneficiary will be same as for item I above. The name of the selected farmers will be forwarded to the concerned bank for sanction of loan component being the 2/3^rd cost of the Minor Irrigation Pond. On hearing from the respective bank regarding sanction of loan portion the case of the Administration for sanction of subsidy amount being the 1/3^rd cost of the Minor Irrigation Pond. On sanction of subsidy by the Administration the subsidy amount will be paid to the beneficiaries in three equal installments. The 1^st installment at the time of sanction of loan-cum-subsidy by the concerned bank, 2^nd installment after the 50% completion of the work and the 3^rd installment after the completion of the work in all respect.

Time taken

1. Scrutinizing at Directorate level - 15 days

2. Sanction of loan portion by banks - 45 days

3. Sanction of subsidy by Administration - 45 days

4. Execution of works - 45 days.

3. Supply of Pumpset on cash-cum-Subsidy

The selected beneficiaries will be directed to deposit the 2/3^rd cost of the pumpset to the approved suppliers of the particulars pumpset for which the rates are approved by the Department. Subsequently the cases of such farmers will be forwarded to the Administration for sanction of subsidy portion being the 1/3^rd cost of the pumpset. After sanctioning of the subsidy amount the supplier will supply the pumpset and submit the service engineer report to the effect that respective farmers. On receipt of service engineers report the subsidy amount will be handed over to the firm.

Time taken

1. Scrutinizing of application - 15 days

2. Sanction of subsidy by Administration - 45 days

3. Supply of pumpset by supplier - 1 month.

4. Supply of Pumpset on Loan-cum-Subsidy

The name of the selected beneficiaries will be forwarded to the respective bank for sanction of loan component being the 2/3^rd cost of the pumpset. On hearing from the bank regarding sanction of loan component, the cases of the respective beneficiaries will be forwarded to the Administration for sanction of subsidy amount being the 1/3^rd cost of the pumpset. After obtaining sanction from the Administration the subsidy amount will be handed over to the bank and supplier will be asked to supply the pumpset to the farmers through department. The supplier will supply the pumpset at the Central Stores of the Agriculture Department. The Department will make arrangement for transportation of pumpset from the Central Stores to farmers plot. Subsequently the supplier will be asked to make arrangements for commissioning the pumpset by deputing his service engineer in the field of beneficiaries. The total cost of the pumpset being the loan-cum-subsidy amount will be handed over to the supplier on receipt of service engineer report duly signed by the respective zonal officer regarding commissioning of the pumpset.

Time taken

1. Scrutinizing of application - 15 days.

2. Sanction of loan component by bank - 45 days

3. Sanction of subsidy by Administration - 45 days

4. Supplier will supply the pumpset - 45 days.

The Interface of the Farmers has with the Department

The farmers have scope to * with Agriculture Demonstrator at the grass not level, zonal officers at the zonal level in addition to Directorate level with Director of Agriculture with the following programme.

• Churcha Mondals.
• One day and two days training camps.
• Kisan Mela.
• Study tour to mainland.
• Inter Island study tour.
• State level Agricultural Exhibition.
• Farmers Day/Agricultural Conference.
• Kharif and Rabi Campaigns.

• To get all modern and recent technological method.
• To avail all the facilities provided by the Department.
• To lodge complaint against the officers/staff posted in the respective areas.

1. 20% cost subsidy and 100% transport subsidy provided on seeds like, paddy, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables.
2. 15-25% cost subsidy and 100% transport subsidy is provided under various fertilizers i.e. 15% subsidy for Nitrogenous and Potasic fertilizer and 25% cost subsidy on phosphatic fertilizer.
3. 20% cost subsidy and 100% transport subsidy is provided for all planting materials imported from mainland. In addition other seedlings procured in the departmental nurseries are distributed at concessional rate.
4. Farmers training programmes are conducted by the department by providing allowances. In addition farmers are deputed to mainland on study tour.
5. 25% cost subsidy and 100% transport subsidy is provided for al plant protection chemical and equipments.
6. Tractors and accessories are supplied to farmers at 30% cost subsidy to a maximum limit Rs. 30,000/- with 100% transport subsidy.
7. 50% subsidy on Crop Insurance premium is met by the department.
8. Under the scheme it is targeted to layout free demonstration in the field of tribals for which 100% subsidy is provided for planting materials, Barbed wires, fertilizers, seeds etc.
9. Long term loan is provided to the cultivators for undertaking soil conservation work 50% of the loan is treated as subsidy at the end of 6^th year, subject to regular payment of interest upto 5 years and take up follow up programme in the land.
10. Departmental tractor are provided to the cultivator for ploughing the farmers field at a nominal rate of Rs. 100/-per hectare.
11. Subsidy is provided by the department to execute ponds and to purchase pumpsets, 1/3^rd cost is met by the department to execute ponds and to purchase pumpsets.

The Department of Agriculture since inception has been shouldering the responsibility of procurement and distribution of Agriculture Inputs. All the Agriculture Inputs namely fertilizer, pesticides, and seeds are imported from the mainland and distributed to the farmers through departmental sub-depots located at convenient place in the field. In order that the farmers do not suffer for want of any inputs which may hamper the cultivation, the department has been providing sale depots with in a radius of 5 km. as a principle. All the inputs are procured from the mainland and transported to the main store at different location in North Andaman, Middle, South and other Islands to meet the requirement of Agriculture sub-depots of the area time to time. At present altogether 53 sub-depots are functioning and during IX^th plan there is a proposal to construct 15 Nos. for strengthening the distribution network.

For hearing the grievances and redressel in general there is a Public Grievances officer at the Directorate level. Further, the grievances if any, can be submitted to the officers at zonal level. The grievances will be redressed within 10 days in respect of South Andaman, within 30 days in respect of Nicobar Groups of Islands depending upon the nature of cases. The grievances of establishment and accounts natures can be submitted to the Assistant Director (Admn.) and Accounts Officer respectively who will settle the cases within week of time.

Farmers can also lodge complaints against the unsettled grievances to the Director of Agriculture on writing.

APPLICATION FORMS FOR VARIOUS SCHEMES-AGRICULTURE