Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation, Marketing, Animal Husbandry, Diary and Fisheries Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said on Monday that agricultural scientists need to work more responsibly in the wake of climate change and crop pests faced by the farmers. The Minister held a review meeting with Vice Chancellor of the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University Dr. R Sarada Jayalakshmi Devi and other scientists. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that in case of pests, pests or natural calamities, the scientists of the university should immediately visit the places and provide the right advice to the farmers and agriculture officials at the right time. He said that the government would take steps to develop Rayalaseema and Prakasam districts as hubs of horticulture crops and accordingly the Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the University should prepare clear plans and implement them. 

He also suggested that a special WhatsApp group should be created to inform the government about the education, research and extension activities being carried out in the university. He opined that if scientific advice is given to the farmers at the right time at every stage of crop cultivation, productivity will increase and losses will be reduced. The Minister said that from crop selection to seed quality, use of fertilizers and pesticides and irrigation water management, agricultural scientists should maintain constant contact with the farmers at the grassroots level.

The Minister said that the agricultural extension services will be strengthened to make them available to the farmers in every zone and the aim of the government is to increase the income of the farmers by providing advice with modern technology. The calendar and diary of the university was unveiled by the Minister Atchannaidu.