The TRS government is committed to help the small and marginal farmers to uplift their livelihood by taking various steps in the state, said agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy here today.
The minister informed the Legislative council that the government has a proposal to implement special horticulture zone in and around Hyderabad and neighboring Rangareddy district to encourage the farmers to cultivate vegetables.
Answering the main question raised by Dr K Nageshwar and other members, the minister said the KCR government is committed to protect the interests of the farmers and a proposal to increase the subsidy from 50 to 75 per cent to small and marginal farmers is under consideration of the government. He said the subsidy would be provided to those farmers who cultivate vegetables in less then three acres of land.
The minister further informed the house that a scheme for construction of Green Houses in an extent of 1000 acres, within the radius of 100 km around Hyderabad city with an estimated cost of Rs 252 crore, was also under active consideration of the government. Green house is a new concept which would encourage farmers to cultivate vegetables which would yield them benefit, he said.
This scheme is meant to encourage SC, ST and small and marginal farmers for cultivation of vegetables as consuming of vegetables would help keep human being healthy because vegetables have plenty of vitamins of various types, Srinivas Reddy said.
The minister agreed to the suggestions of some members that the Council members be taken to visit the upcoming Green houses on the city outskirts.(NSS)