Explore ways to export rice: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy holding a review meeting with the officials of Agriculture and Civil Supplies departments at his camp office in Tadepalli on Tuesday
Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday directed the Agricultural Department to complete the authentication under e-cropping system and hand over physical and digital receipts to farmers by October 15 across the state.
During the review meeting on agricultural and allied sectors, the Chief Minister said social audit should also be completed within the given deadlines.
He was informed that the cultivation of paddy crops will be completed in 1.15 crore acres by the end of the present kharif season in the state while 96 lakh metric tonnes of seeds are being readied for the coming rabi season catering to 57.31 lakh acres.
Observing that e-cropping has led to transparency in paddy procurement, the CM directed the officials to supply all material, including gunny bags to the farmers in the right time besides providing logistical support. The farmers should never get the feeling that they are selling their paddy for a lesser price than MSP. In such circumstances, higher officials should intervene and ensure that farmers are paid MSP for their agricultural produce.
Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKS) should be used to create awareness among farmers on selling their produce at right time. In the wake of abundant production of paddy in the state, officials should explore ways to export rice by working with export companies, he said and suggested that ethanol should be extracted from broken and coloured paddy.
Geo fencing and QR code systems should also be implemented in the Civil Supplies department while officials should take steps to ensure that tobacco farmers also are not put to financial losses.
The Chief Minister directed the department to complete soil testing in March and April months before the start of kharif season and farmers should be educated on the type of crops to be cultivated and the quantum of fertilises to be used.
Asking the officials to provide soil testing devices at all RKBs, the Chief Minister said this will help farmers reduce cost of cultivation.