The Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has instructed the officials concerned to guide farmers to cultivate crops in tune with the food habits of the people and those agriculture produce, which have demand in the market. The CM instructed the officials to prepare a report and submit it to the government by May 5 after studying about the crops other than paddy, which would be beneficial to the farmers. He wanted the officials to encourage farmers to go in for the fine rice variety paddy. He wanted that the Godowns to be constructed in the State to have a cold storage unit compulsorily.
The CM held for the second consecutive day on Wednesday a high-level review meeting on the preparation of a new Agriculture Policy for the State. Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy, Civil Supplies Minister Gangula Kamalakar, Rythu Bandhu Samithi state president Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Mareddy Srinivas Reddy, Government’s Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Principal secretaries Narsing Rao, Janardhan Reddy, Civil Supplies Corporation Commissioner Satyanarayana Reddy, Agriculture University Vice Chancellor Praveen Rao, Seeds Corporation Managing Director Sri Keshavulu, Marketing Director Ms Lakshmibai, Horticulture MD Sri Venkatram Reddy and others participated.
“In the past, there was no availability of irrigation water in the State due to lack of power supply and projects. The then governments have not bothered about the agriculture sector. With this, farmers used to cultivate crops according their wishes. Since everyone cultivated the same crop, there was fall in the price. Now the situation has drastically changed in the State. Water for irrigation is reaching every nook and corner of the State. Due to 24-hour power supply, cultivation is taking place under the borewells too. If farmers are provided with right guidance they can have profitable agriculture. Changes will come in the cultivation methods, selection of the crops, use of fertilisers, marketing of the produce. The New Agriculture Policy in the State should work in this direction,” the CM said.
“Paddy is being cultivated in a big way in the State. Farmers are going in for the coarse variety, as the cultivation period is less. But majority of people eating only fine variety rice. This variety has in great demand in other States and countries too. Now that we have water facility for irrigation, famers should cultivate more fine rice variety and they should be educated on the matter,” the CM said.
“Farmers should not cultivate one crop but go in for a variety of crops. It is only then they would get demand for the produce. Identify crops, that would get higher yields, more marketing opportunities, good income and less laborious. Identify crops that would generate more income. Suggest these crops to farmers. Decided on which farmer should go in for which crop and make them cultivate it. Ground Nut, Red Gram, Oil Palm have demand in the market. Identify other such crops. Decided to what extent of land can be used to grow these crops. There is a scarcity of fruits and vegetables in the State. Study on what percentage these can be cultivated. Study scientifically whether fish farming can be taken up extensively in the State, as there is increase in water availability. Should use of fertilisers be like the way it is now? Is there any need for change? Examine these issues. Complete the entire study and by May 5 submit a report,” the CM instructed.
Since it was decided to construct additional Godowns with a capacity of 40 Lakh tonnes, the CM instructed the officials to identify the lands. He wanted Cold Storage facility should be incorporated in the proposed Godowns.
