CM Jagan Seek Additional Support For Agri-Infrastructure & Natural Farming

On Monday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy emphasized the importance of quickly strengthening agricultural infrastructure and making it advantageous to farmers and associated sectors in the state. 

The CM, who presided over a high-level meeting with AP agriculture mission vice-chairman Nagi Reddy and senior officials here, urged for quick progress in the construction of godowns, citing the huge worldwide demand for agricultural products grown through natural and organic farming. He recommended farmers take advantage of such opportunities. 

Jaganmohan emphasized the need of developing an action plan to acquire the necessary machinery for organic and natural farming, intending to establish one at every Rythu Bharosa Kendra in the state. Every effort must be done to provide a higher price for Agri commodities grown by organic and natural farming, and incentives must be provided to such farmers, he said. 

Speedy Construction of Godowns 

On the building of godowns, officials stated that land acquisition was completed, construction had begun in 1,165 locations, and work was in progress in 278 spots. Weighing devices and moisture testing instruments were being set up to assist farmers and prevent them from being duped. Officials told the CM that 6,293 procurement tools had been made accessible to farmers. 

In terms of processing units, authorities stated that 33 seed and millet primary processing units were being established, within each parliamentary sector, and that they would be ready by Kharif 2022. Processing would help farmers get a good price since quality would be assured. 

They said that individuals involved in secondary processing would get raw materials for use in their respective trades. Work was being done in 13 secondary processing units, and attempts were being made to set up collecting centers and organize cold storage facilities, particularly for horticulture farmers. 

In March, 175 ambulances for animal care, one for each assembly segment, will be deployed. 

According to authorities, milk collection has begun in 1,110 villages under the Jagananna Pala Velluva scheme. Each month, over 28 lakh liters of milk were collected. So far, 2.03 billion liters of milk have been collected. Dairy farmers received Rs 86.58 crore in compensation, with an additional benefit of Rs 14.68 crore. 

With reference to the development of infrastructure for the aquaculture sector, officials stated that aqua hubs, among other aspects, will directly or indirectly help roughly 80,000 people. By June, 70 aqua hubs and 14,000 spokes would be in place, with development on 23 pre-processing plants and 10 processing plants already underway.