Change in agri sector tangible, says AP CM

Vijayawada: Asserting that the State government has rolled out a green carpet to agriculture sector by bringing in revolutionary changes, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday said that the change is visible through Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) right from supply of quality seeds to sale of produce besides providing insurance cover and nine hour free power.

Rounding up the short discussion on agriculture and allied sectors in the Assembly, he said the RBKs have been the most tangible units at village level which are offering numerous services to farmers and assured that the State will not collect any extra amount on metres fixed to agriculture motors.

Asserting that all the promises made in the manifesto to farmers have been fulfilled, the Chief Minister said nano technology will be implemented soon. About 2,000 drones will be pressed into service for spraying the pesticides in a scientific manner.

All the welfare schemes are aimed to benefit the farmers with a landholding of less than three acres who form 87 per cent and many of them are also beneficiaries of other schemes under Navaratnalu.

Taking a dig at Chandrababu Naidu, he said the Opposition leader is synonymous to drought and during the past three years all water bodies including the major rivers are brimming with water and groundwater level has swelled while agriculture produce has increased drastically.

YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan, insurance scheme, zero interest scheme, and input subsidy besides RBKs have been very useful to the farmers. In the 10,778 RBKs qualified people were working to guide the farmers and people from NITI Aayog, World Bank and FAO also have visited them to study the functioning. Lab to land, YSR Yantra schemes, Calamity and Price Stabilisation funds have played their role in the time of crisis, he said.

The government is committed to the welfare of farmers and will continue its proactive role in promoting agriculture and allied sectors, he said.