VIJAYAWADA: In a major policy decision aimed at relieving distress in the aquaculture and farming sectors, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday announced that power subsidies will be extended to aqua farmers operating in non-aqua zones starting this month.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on El Niño impacts, rainfall deficits, and crop status at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister directed officials to supply power at Rs 1.50 per unit to non-aqua zone growers on par with designated aqua zones, a move expected to benefit 12,500 aqua farmers statewide.
Addressing the broader agricultural impact, CM Naidu warned that rainfall deficits could persist through October across Andhra Pradesh due to El Niño conditions. He instructed officials and public representatives to launch a statewide farmer outreach campaign starting August 7 to educate growers on alternative cropping strategies, particularly Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) methods.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for dynamic action plans to match changing field conditions, real-time communication via the Rythu App, and integrated livestock fodder management under the VB-G RAM G initiative.
The CM announced an immediate support price of rs 10 per kg for off-style tobacco effective from Wednesday.