Jagan asks officials to monitor 'Rythu Bharosa' centres, e-cropping

AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy emphasized on providing quality seeds and asked officials to complete the e-cropping process, to benefit the farmers, at a review meeting with the Agricultural Department on Friday.

During the review, the Chief Minister asked the authorities to test the quality of the seeds regularly, which were being supplied to the farmers. Also, he asked them to ensure that there were no errors in providing seeds and fertilizers to the farmers and asked them to look into the issue carefully. The officials informed him that there were sufficient reserves of fertilizers and were being provided through Rythu Bharosa Kendralu (RBKs).

He asked the officials to take regular updates regarding the supply of seeds, fertilizers and the prices of agri-products from agriculture assistants in RBKs.

Reviewing e-cropping, he asked the authorities to complete 100 percent e-cropping by the first week of September. He asked them to closely monitor the process and issue both physical and digital receipts after e-cropping.

Further, the Chief Minister directed the officials to take appropriate measures to provide maximum benefit to the farmers, as 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' was partnered with YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme.

The Chief Minister also discussed the use of drones in agriculture with the officials and asked them to prepare master trainers for providing training on the usage, maintenance and repair of drones. He asked the officials to provide training on the use of drones to the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) or Polytechnic students, selecting one college from each constituency.

Discussing various other issues related to agriculture, he asked the authorities to ensure that every kiosk in RBK was in working condition with a proper internet connection and also to take necessary measures to make them function effectively. He asked the officials to chart out plans for providing more types of equipment under the YSR Yantraseva Scheme.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the preparation of kharif and stated that higher than normal rainfall was recorded across the state, where 16.2 percent rainfall was recorded till August 3. Although the area under cultivation was estimated to be 36.82 lakh hectares in the current kharif season, 18.8 lakh hectares had already been cultivated.

Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy, AP Agri-Mission Vice Chairman MVS Nagireddy, Government Adviser (Agriculture) Ambati Krishna Reddy and others were present in the meeting.