7 days ago
Gear up to adopt technology and shift to natural farming, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu advises farmers in Andhra Pradesh
Promising to bring about a transformative change in agriculture, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked the farmers to gear up to adopt latest technologies in farming.
Addressing the farmers at the launch of Annadata Sukhibhava-PM KISAN scheme at East Veerayapalem village of Darsi mandal in Prakasam district on Saturday, Mr. Naidu said farmers would get suggestions based on a study on best yield crops, and they must follow the instructions.
'The government has solved many problems of the farmers using new technologies. As there is no market for crops such as tobacco and groundnut, it is planning to encourage aquaculture in the coastal districts, horticulture in the Rayalaseema region, and commercial crops in other areas,' Mr. Naidu said.
'The NDA government is working tirelessly to sustain agriculture and improve the livelihoods of the farmers. I urge the farmers to shift towards natural farming, while reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides,' he said.
Drip irrigation
'Though the previous government has cancelled the subsidy on drip irrigation to the farmers, we have revived it and are giving 100% subsidy for the Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes in Prakasam and Rayalaseema districts, and 70% subsidy in the coastal districts,' he said.
'The previous year, we expanded drip irrigation to 1,17,880 hectares, benefiting more than 1.11 lakh farmers. Andhra Pradesh is No.1 State in the country in drip irrigation,' the Chief Minister said, adding the government was supplying power to aqua farmers at ₹1.50 per unit.
'We have increased the assistance from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 under the Matsyakarulo Sevalo shecme. We have provided ₹259 crore to 1,29,178 fishermen families. We have provided agricultural implements worth ₹61 crore to 26,000 farmers at 50% subsidy,' he said.
The government would be establishing the country's largest Drone City at Orvakal in Kurnool district. 'It is preparing use cases and research is under way. About 875 Kisan Drones will soon be available for cultivation. It has set a target of providing another 1,000 Kisan Drones in this year's budget,' he said.
Linking of rivers
'As water is the most important resource for agriculture in rain-dependent areas, the government is planning to connect all rivers. The Polavaram project gives us an opportunity to divert river water to agricultural fields, which otherwise will flow waste into the sea,' Mr. Naidu said, assuring to complete the project by December 2027.
'About eight years ago, I had provided water to the Krishna Delta through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation scheme. In the future, we will tell farmers in advance which crop to be cultivated based on weather and water availability. The farmers must go for cultivation accordingly,' he said.
