Wayanad, Saturday, 04 September 2010: Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas has said that the Central government will implement a special package of Rs.99 crore for the benefit of farmers in Wayanad district.

Minister said the new comprehensive package would have 12 schemes. Minister said the package was being planned as per the direction of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and after a discussion held with agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan.

Organic farming had a high potential in the district and the Central government was planning to set up an organic farming training institute, like the one in Bangalore, in the district as a part of the package.

Pointing to the unutilised fund under the Vidharbha Package in the district, Minister said that some components of the package had been implemented but some others were not implemented owing to technical reasons, the Minister said.

If needed, a high-level meeting of Chief Minster V.S. Achuthanandan and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar would be held in New Delhi for the successful implementation of the package, the Minister said.

The Centre would issue ‘Kisan Cards’ to all farmers in the country and all farmers could avail themselves of Rs.1 lakh as loan without sureties soon, Minister said.