Agriculture Minister Tells Officials to Support Farmers

HYDERABAD: State agriculture and marketing department minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said that the government was embarking on many reforms in the agriculture sector and urged the departments to stand by farmers, after conducting reviews.

 Addressing officials of agriculture, horticulture and marketing, he said, “The agriculture and marketing department officials should furnish full information and hold a meeting with the agriculture and university officials. The horticulture department should come out with the extent of land bank available with them. A special meeting will be convened in the Secretariat on the issue.”

He sought a video presentation of a report on 197 market yards and their current situation.

“This,” he ordered, “should be done in comparison with the situation in other states”, while directing that the revamp “on the model of successfully-run yards” to help farmers sell their produce without hassle.

He particularly cautioned officials against negligence and warned them against leaving farmers to the vagaries of natural situations, like heavy rains.

Nageswara Rao also ordered officials to watch the private seed, fertiliser and pesticide companies, besides ensuring sufficient availability of fertilisers.

Reviewing the horticulture and Oilfed departments, he said, “The acreage under oil palm cultivation should be increased significantly. Government officials should not leave any stone unturned and the officials should make efforts to increase its extent. The government will extend all help in this endeavour. The state government aims to make Telangana number one in the cultivation of oil palm. Officials should take steps to ensure drip irrigation is made available to the farmers.”

He also directed steps to be taken for use of the 400 acres belonging to an agriculture college in Aswaraopet.