Rythu Nestham Trains Farmers in Modern Farm Practices

Hyderabad: The government in association with the scientists of Prof. Jayashankar Telangana Agriculture University launched a special programme, `Rythu Nestham,’ in 110 Rythu Vedikas in the state, where scientists and officials can directly speak with the farmers on agriculture practices and allied activities.

The programme conducted every Tuesday had so far trained 38,794 farmers, a press release said.

Taking part in the Rythu Nestham on Tuesday, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao told farmers that the state government had supplied sufficient quantities of `Pacchi Rotta’ seeds. The state had secured additional seeds from neighboring states.

Stating that Telangana has cotton seeds to meet the demand, Nageswara Rao advised farmers not to insist on seeds of a particular variety; the government in consultation with agriculture scientists was supplying only certified seeds and all of them give the same yield.

If farmers go for organic farming, it would help in providing export opportunities and fair remunerative prices, he said.

The minister directed agriculture officers to conduct programmes as per the crop season and involve more women farmers to avail the benefits.

Nageswara Rao thanked Chintala Venkat Reddy, a Padma Shri awardee, for taking part in the programme and giving suggestions to farmers. Yaddapally Venkateshwara Rao, another Padma Shri awardee, for his service to the farming community.

Agriculture director B. Gopi said that in the second phase, another 456 audio-visual instruments would be sent to Rythu Vedikas by the month end. All district collectors, district agriculture officers and other staff of the agriculture department took part in the programme.