Hyderabad, December 12: In A.P. 70% of the population is dependent on agriculture. It is, therefore, necessary to develop horticulture, fisheries and dairy industries besides developing agriculture sector. Chief Minister of A.P. Mr. N. Kiran Kumar Reddy was addressing the higher officials of Agriculture Department in the Secretariat. He instructed the officials to ensure the implementation of the welfare schemes for the benefit of farmers. He said that in agricultural production, A.P. State ranks first in the country. It is the first State in the production of paddy despite drought, flood and other natural calamities. He said that he had negotiated with Congress President Ms. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for giving minimum support price to farmers. He also said that since 2004, State has been supplying free electricity to 28 Lakh farmers. Since 2008 farmers are being granted loans at the rate of 25 paise interest.
He informed that the support price for paddy in 2004 was Rs.590 but after enhancement it reached Rs.1,110 in 2011.
He also said that the State Government is implementing the recommendation of Swaminathan and Prof Ghosh.
The CM told that in order to sort out the problems of the farmers who have declared “Crop Holiday” a State-level Committee has been constituted.
Government has sanctioned Rs.20 Crore for the repair works pertaining to canals. Rs.50 Crore have been sanctioned under Mahatma Gandhi Rozgar Yojana to provide compulsory employment to village workers for 100 days. Every year a “Farmers Yatra” is also being organized at Mandal level.
-Siasat News