Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has outlined ambitious plans to achieve a 15% growth rate in the agriculture and allied sectors starting from the Kharif season. With the monsoon approaching, he emphasized the need for full preparedness and alertness among officials to ensure smooth cultivation.
Key Directives from the Minister
- Transparent Employee Transfers: Atchannaidu assured that the government employee transfer process will be completed transparently by the end of the month, urging officials to avoid brokers or intermediaries.
- Nano Fertiliser Promotion: He stressed the importance of nano urea and nano DAP, which could help save 20,000 metric tonnes of granular urea.
- Crop Diversification: Farmers are encouraged to shift from traditional crops to horticultural crops to improve yields and profitability.
- Natural Farming: The minister highlighted the need to reduce chemical fertiliser usage and promote natural farming across the state.
- Financial Support for Tenant Farmers: Cooperation Commissioner Babu A. was instructed to facilitate loans for Crop Cultivator Rights Card (CCRC) holders.
- Fine Rice Cultivation: Efforts will be made to promote fine rice varieties and ensure the selection and supply of region-specific local rice varieties.
Government’s Broader Strategy
Special Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperation Budithi Rajasekhar pointed out that Andhra Pradesh’s service sector growth rate is significantly lower compared to other states. He emphasized that boosting agriculture is crucial for securing state funding.
Additional Measures
- Soil Testing: Director of Agriculture Dilli Rao urged farmers to cultivate locally profitable alternative crops and directed officials to print and distribute soil test reports to ensure the use of recommended fertilisers.
- Market Support: Officials were instructed to coordinate with procurement agencies to ensure fair prices for farmers.
- Technology Integration: The government plans to introduce new technologies and artificial intelligence to reduce cultivation costs and increase quality yields.
This initiative aims to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural sector, ensuring better productivity, financial stability for farmers, and sustainable farming practices.
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