Officials told to take measures to achieve 15% growth rate in allied agricultural sectors in A.P.

The Hindu

22-05-2025

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation, Marketing, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has asked the officials of agriculture and allied departments to promote not only quality paddy cultivation but also horticultural crops.
'Take measures to achieve 15% growth rate in allied agricultural sectors,' he said during a video conference with the officials of agriculture and allied departments held at the Secretariat to assess the kharif preparedness.
He stressed the need for encouraging natural farming and crop rotation while reducing the use of fertilizers.
The farmers should be encouraged to shift their attention from traditional crops to horticultural and commercial crops. New technologies and artificial intelligence should be introduced on a large scale to reduce cultivation costs in allied agricultural sectors, increase quality yields, and expand marketing facilities.
The Minister called for robust arrangements so that farmers face no difficulties during the kharif season.
He instructed that all types of seeds and fertilizers required for kharif be made available to farmers in a timely manner.
'Implement natural farming fully in the regions where it is currently practised and expand it gradually to other areas. Soil testing reports must be provided to farmers. Applications related to agricultural mechanisation should be resolved within four to five days. The 50% subsidy under this scheme is being provided in advance, and officials must focus on ensuring the farmer's share is arranged through bank loans,' the Minister said.
The officials should stay alert to prevent the sale of spurious seeds and fertilizers. Special attention should be paid to traceability (to track the history, location, and application of agricultural products as they move through the supply chain—from farm to fork), certification, volume, and marketing aspects, he said.
The Minister emphasised the promotion of micro-irrigation and achieving 100% targets. All services must be made available to farmers in time through the Rythu Seva Kendras (Farmer Service Centres).
'All tenant farmers should be issued CCRS cards and be made eligible for bank loans,' he said.
B. Rajashekar, Special Chief Secretary (Agriculture) said that the government pinned high hopes on developing the primary sector.
'Hence, a 15% growth rate target has been set for the allied agricultural sectors,' he said and urged all officials to work together to achieve the target.
He emphasised that crops and yields should be optimised in line with local conditions and opportunities, making extensive use of new technologies and artificial intelligence. Special apps should be developed for this purpose, he said.