Monsoon in Full Swing, No Action Plan From Govt: Farmers

Hyderabad: Even a month after the onset of monsoon, the state agriculture department is yet to finalise its annual action plan for the season ahead, which farmer’s associations say does not bode well.

Underscoring the need for an advanced action plan, Sarampally Malla Reddy, AIKS state vice-president, said, “Crop production has to keep pace with the growing population. Factors like real estate growth, roads, projects and SEZs have to be taken into account to improve productivity in the existing land. Once sugar factories in Bodhan and Muthyampet are reopened, they will need sugarcane to crush. Farmers should be encouraged to grow the crop to feed these factories. Incentives should be announced to encourage farmers to make the shift from other crops.”

The lack of an action plan for the department after 2020-21 and failure to implement what had been planned earlier had led to an increase in paddy and cotton in the state, the body said.

“Better access to developed market infrastructure and giving MSP will veer the farmers to take up other crops,” the members said.

Kiran Vissa of Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV) said “The farmer’s debt relief commission should also be revived and it should be headed by a retired High Court judge.”

The plan should ideally have details for soil testing labs and area-wise recommendations for crops. Ideally, horticulture should be part of the action plan and stress should be on growing vegetables and pulses, which are being bought from outside the state, Malla Reddy said