GUNTUR: Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has stated that AP registered an impressive growth rate of 25.6% in agriculture and allied sectors in the first half of current fiscal.
The Minister held a review meeting with the officials at the Agriculture Commissioner office here on Thursday. Addressing the meeting, he said that the State government was giving top priority for agriculture. He said that the launch of D-Krishi e-seed distribution android application has benefitted farmers a lot.
The Minister informed that AP was selected for Excellence Award in farming category for adopting latest technologies and added that the award ceremony will be held in Kolkata on January 20.“The government is distributing soil testing cards, e-Crop booking, micronutrients etc., to farmers. The government had disbursed crop loans worth `1,400 crore to tenant farmers,” he said.
Somireddy stated that the government distributed 12,682 tractors to farmers under Rythu Ratham scheme. He explained that the agriculture department officials identified nutrient deficiency in soil and distributed 12,446 metric tonnes of micronutrients to farmers.Somireddy said that special counters have been set up to receive grievances on crop loan waiver from farmers. He said that steps will be taken to fill vacant Multi Purpose Extension Officer (MPEO) posts in the State. He warned of taking stern action against companies which are supplying spurious seeds to farmers.
Agriculture Department Special Commissioner Dr. M Hari Jawaharlal and Horticulture Department Commissioner Chiranjeevi Chowdary and other officials participated in the review meeting.