Agriculture Minister Focused on Drought-Hit Crops During Raichur District Tour

Raichur: Agriculture Minister N Chaluvaraya Swamy, during his tour of Raichur district, prioritized a visit to the drought-stricken cotton and tur crop areas across various hoblis of Raichur taluk on Monday.

Accompanied by officials, the minister examined the drought-affected cotton crops. At the farm of Narasimhulu, he personally engaged with the farmers, attentively listening to their grievances. Minister Chaluvaraya Swamy stressed the importance of farmers securing crop insurance annually, in addition to anticipating government assistance.

Responding to the plea from farmers for concessions on BT cotton seeds, similar to those provided for other crops, the minister assured that a decision would be reached after consultations with departmental officials.

In his address at the inauguration of the International Conference of Agricultural Engineers held at the Raichur Agricultural University auditorium the Minister stressed the pivotal role played by agricultural institutions, universities, and research centers in guiding farmers towards adopting technology that facilitates efficient and cost-effective cultivation in an era of evolving environmental conditions.

The minister highlighted the evolving nature of the environment, with soil quality deteriorating and farmers grappling with challenges. He emphasized the need for agricultural colleges and universities across the state to proactively engage with farmers, asserting that they play a crucial role in this process. Minister Chaluvaraya Swamy also emphasized the potential of educational institutions specializing in agriculture in advancing the nation's agricultural sector.