Metro India News | AMARAVATI :

The Andhra Pradesh government is taking proactive steps to ensure that farmers face no shortage of seeds and fertilizers in the upcoming agricultural seasons. Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation, Marketing, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, instructed officials to prepare district-level estimates and allocation plans ahead of Rabi and Kharif seasons.

During a review meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday with senior officials from AP Seeds, MARKFED, and the AP Warehousing Corporation, the Minister emphasized the importance of providing quality seeds and fertilizers to farmers at subsidized rates. He directed that necessary measures be taken to strengthen the distribution network and ensure timely availability of agricultural inputs.

The Minister highlighted plans to expedite the establishment of a Mega Seed Park to enhance seed production capacity in the state. He urged officials to make full use of the 750 acres available across 16 locations for seed production, ensuring that every acre is utilized efficiently to support farmers' needs.

The minister suggested the officials promote millet and whole grain cultivation, by providing subsidies at the seed stage itself. The state aims to encourage sustainable agricultural practices and increase the production and consumption of these nutritious crops.

The Minister directed the AP Warehousing Corporation to fully utilize its storage facilities by renting them to farmers and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) at a 35% subsidy. This would enable farmers to store their produce and sell it at favorable prices. He also stressed the importance of repairing warehouses and hiring additional staff to improve the corporation's efficiency.

Further he stated that fertilizer sales will be managed through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), FPOs, and cooperative societies at the village level to ensure easy availability for farmers. He warned against black-market sales and instructed officials to maintain adequate fertilizer stocks in cooperative societies to prevent shortages.

As part of the “Polam Pilustondi” program, farmers will be educated on government subsidies and incentives. The Minister called for 100% utilization of these benefits to enhance soil fertility and improve crop yields.

The minister instructed district collectors, local ministers, and MLAs to submit detailed reports on the seed and fertilizer requirements specific to crops grown in their districts. He stressed the need for close coordination among officials at all levels to address any potential shortages.

Senior officials, including Budithi Rajasekhar, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, Delhi Rao, Agriculture Commissioner, Manjeer Zilani Saman, Managing Director of MARKFED, and Suresh Kumar, MD of the Warehousing Corporation, were present at the meeting.