Amaravati: Agriculture markets will remain open: Minister K Kannababu

Amaravati: Minister for Agriculture Kurasala Kannababu announced amidst the misinformed rumours circulating about COVID-19 effect on the agriculture sector and farmers, that all the agriculture markets across the State will be open and the government will provide the Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce.

Speaking to the media here on Friday, the Minister said that the poultry industry was witnessing heavy losses due to the rise in fear regarding coronavirus.

The prices of maize and jowar have dropped as well. Taking this into consideration, starting from April 1, jowar and maize will be purchased by the government to help the farmers.

Dismissing the rumors on the closure of markets, he said all the markets will be cleaned and will be kept open. He warned businessmen against trying to make profits using the coronavirus situation.

The Minister assured farmers that the government would provide MSP for various crops to ensure no farmer incurs loss. For example, the current MSP for bananas is Rs 800, as fixed by the government. But according to the Chief Minister's instructions, appropriate measures are being taken to support farmers in areas like Anantapur, where the price of bananas had dropped.

To emphasise on their commitment towards the welfare of farmers, the YSRCP government would have a joint meeting with businessmen and farmers soon to analyse the market situation. Moreover, the Chief Minister has ordered the officials to find places in every village to grow grass so that there is no shortage of food for animals in the summer season.

About 4,000 Rythu Bharosa Centres are already up and running and works are on to set up another 4,000. All these are proposed to be ready by April.

As said earlier a total of 11,158 Rythu Bharosa Centres will be ready by May, the Minister said. He also added that booking on e-cropping is mandatory for every farmer to avail the government welfare schemes.