Ethiopian delegation studies dragonfruit cultivation in Penuganchiprolu in AP

AMARAVATI: A six-member agriculture officials delegation from Ethiopia inspected a dragon fruit crop cultivated in Penuganchiprolu of Jaggayyapeta mandal in NTR district.

They interacted with farmer P Mohan Rao and inquired about the methods followed by him for the cultivation of the dragon fruit crop. On the occasion, the delegation tasted the fruit and expressed their happiness after knowing the crop was cultivated through organic farming methods.

For the last four days, the Ethiopian delegation was touring Andhra Pradesh and inspecting the crops cultivated in different parts of the State. The main motive of the study tour was to adopt the best cultivation systems of the State to implement in their country.

During their visit, the delegation inspected the functioning of Rythu Bharosa Kendaram (RBK) in Kanneveedu village in Vatsavai mandal and asked the farmers about the benefits of RBK to the farmers. They also learned about key functions in RBK such as e-crop registration, machinery service scheme, crop insurance, input subsidy and YSR Rythu Bharosa for farmers. Later, the delegation inspected the Krushi Vignan Kendram (KVK) and examined different types of crops cultivated by the farmers.

The officials explained to the delegation about the programmes implemented by the government in the agriculture sector through PowerPoint presentations focusing on e-crop registration, geo-tagging, free crop insurance, distribution of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs through RBKs, YSR Yantra Seva Kendra (custom hiring centers) linked to RBKs, drone technology, integrated agriculture laboratories and YSR Polambadi.

After going through the presentation given by the officials, the delegation said that incentives given by the State Government to agriculture were beneficial to farmers. They lauded the functioning of RBKs in the State and expressed their willingness to implement the system in their country to benefit the farmers.