Use drones extensively in agriculture sector, implement Plant Doctor concept: Jagan

VIJAYAWADA: Stressing the need to extensively use drones in the agriculture sector, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed farm officials to ensure that drones are also used for soil testing by RBKs.

Reviewing the activities of the agricultural department here on Friday, the chief minister told them that extensive use of drones in soil testing  by RBKs will also help in implementation of the Plant Doctor concept, apart from arriving at correct estimates of productivity and maintenance of related data.

When officials told him that drones are being used in making the estimates of paddy productivity, the CM said drones should be used for other crops too. “Now we are using drones for spraying pesticides but they can be used for several other purposes to help the farmers,” Jagan Reddy said.

He said steps should be taken to equip all the 10,000 RBKs with drones.

Officials said 222 farmers were trained on the use of drones under the pilot project. The department is purchasing quality drones certified by DGCA and all safety measures are being taken while using them.

The CM suggested that more audio visual programmes should be made on the cultivating methods and these be telecast through the RBK channel for farmers.

Officials said that as per his advice, efforts are being made to prepare the draft bill on MSP Act-2023 to ensure MSP for all agricultural produce and bring all aqua and dairy farmers under the act. In the last four years, 4.34 lakh acres have been additionally brought under horticultural cultivation, he said.

Jagan said, “There should be more cold-storage rooms, go-downs and collection centres for encouraging the horticultural farmers.” In addition to paddy, procurement of all other crops should be through RBKs. RBKs should play a key role in marketing as well.”

The CM said steps should also be taken to establish onion and tomato food processing units in constituencies where there is large-scale cultivation of such crops. To help women achieve self-sufficiency, they should be encouraged to establish secondary food processing units with loans under YSR Cheyuta scheme, he said.

Officials told the CM that 6000 micro units are being established to help women via the Cheyuta scheme.

Jagan Reddy said, “The government is establishing drying and primary processing units and distributing agricultural utensils and machinery for farmers. All these should be linked to the RBKs for ensuring MSP, by hand-holding them at every step and completely eliminating the role of middlemen.”

About 2.2 lakh samples have been collected by agri labs so far. Based on their results, the farmers are being appropriately guided, officials said.
 
When they said efforts are being made to pay crop insurance claims for the Rabi crop in October and distribute CCRC cards for tenant farmers in Jagananna Suraksha camps, the CM told them to pay Rythu Bharosa to the tenant farmers.

The CM was also informed that a compensation of ' 7802.50 crore has been paid to 54.48 lakh farmers under the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme so far.

Agriculture minister Kakani Govardhan, Agri Mission vice chairman Nagi Reddy, adviser to government Tirupal Reddy (agriculture), chief secretary Jawahar Reddy and others were present.