Form clusters to provide better services to farmers: Nellore Collector Seshagiri Babu

Nellore: District Collector MV Seshagiri Babu directed the agriculture, marketing and horticulture officials to form clusters, one each for 2 to 3 Mandals for coordinated activities. He addressed the officials on Sunday and asked them to prepare the detailed plans by July 9.

The Collector said farmers are facing difficulties for cultivation, value addition and marketing and officials have to support them through the clusters close to the places for processing, packing and transport the final products to the markets. He said they have to discuss with the private marketing agencies for adding value to the product through attractive packages and others.

He asked them to arrange weighing and packing machines at the cluster points and marketing managers to be appointed for taking up all these activities on a pilot basis. They have to adopt product-wise strategy while providing these services, he added.

He also said officials have to convince farmers to cultivate suitable crops. Change of crops, rotation methods to be explained to the farmers for better yields, and also to protect the environment and resources, Collector suggested.

He also asked the veterinary department to suggest newly developed breeds that give high yielding and good revenue to the farmers.

Assistant Collector Bhavana Vasishta, Joint Director of veterinary Dr. Vijaya Mohan, District Cooperative Officer Tirupataiah, Assistant Director of agriculture Prasad and others were present.