Of the total 9,614 seats sanctioned (under group A, B
C, D) only 5,935 seats have been filled.
This shortage is hampering the implementation of
various schemes and has increased the workload of the existing officers.
Even as the state is facing drought situation every
third year and despite presenting separate agri-budget, the state has failed to
tackle this scenario to help farmers and boost the agriculture sector.
“Human resource is a part of the infrastructure.
The officials are responsible for checking spurious
seeds and ensuring that farmers get certified seeds.
Also, they need to ensure that fertilisers are issued
on time.
But with such shortage, the government cannot be of any
help to the farmers,” said Dr Abdul Aziz, former member of Karnataka State
Finance Commission and consultant to the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and
Swedish International.
To meet the growing demands of the farming community in
pursuit of the latest technologies, 747 Raitha Samparka Kendras (RSK) have been
established, one in each Hobli.
The RSKs are headed by an Agricultural Officer
supported by Assistant Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Assistants.
However, it has been noted that 65 per cent of the post
of Agriculture Officers and Agriculture Assistants, who are responsible for
extending technological benefits to the farmers, are lying vacant.
And also, 45 per cent of the Assistant Agriculture
Officers are lying vacant.
Interestingly, the department does not have anybody for
the sanctioned post of senior programmer (computer) and Sr computerists, which
has halted the e-governance in the department.
The government has even failed to find a replacement
for even the retired officials.
When contacted, Bharat Lal Meena, Principal Secretary
of Agriculture Department, failed to explain the reason for not being able to
fill the vacant post.
He said that the government has implemented alternate
plans wherein farmers are trained to do the job the these officers.
“We have selected around 10,000 farmers under the
Suvarna Bhoomi scheme and they will do the service.
So, there is no hindrance as such,” Meena added.
“Economists are linking the issue to the declining
agricultural growth in the state.
The government cannot keep citing drought as a reason
for decline in the agriculture sector,” said Azis and added, “these are the
hidden facts which are not highlighted by the government.
They only highlight the increase in production which
actually is because of the increase in area under cultivation.
So the government cannot take credit.
” In reality, Agriculture growth in Karnataka has remained at
a dismal 0.
5 per cent in the past decade.
Agriculture and allied sectors in Karnataka grew in
2009-10 by 3.
4 per cent and 12.
9 per cent in 2010-11.
In 2011-12 it was -3.
9 per cent.
It is expected to further come down this year
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