Abstract

The following Press Note has heen issued by the Government of Madras outlining the scheme for the expansion of the Madras Agricul- tural Department sanctioned by the Secretary of State:- The Agricultural Department was reconstituted in 1905-06 and the results of the working of the reconstituted Department are fully recorded in the annual Administration Reports. Although substantial progress has been achieved in the improvement of the agricultural practices and methods in vogue in this Presidency, the advance made has been practically restricted to eight or nine of the twenty three Districts and, owing to lack of staff, the Government have reluctantly been compelled to refuse frequent requests made by non-official members in the local Legislative Council and by District or other representative Associations for the opening of more farms and for the extension of work to Districts as yet untouched. The wide-spread disire for the improvement of agricultural conditions convinced H. E. the Governor in Council that further expansion of the work of the Agricultural Department ought not to be delayed and proposals were accordingly made to the Government of India to sanction staff suffi- cient for the opening of new farms, the strengthening of the staff of Deputy and Assistant Directors and substantial additions to the subordinate services. These proposals for the expansion and reorgani- sation of the Department of Agriculture have now been sanctioned by the Secretary of State. The main features of the scheme, which will be gradually given effect to as officers and funds become available, are briefly summarised below.

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