Nine agriculture laboratories to be set up in Nellore district soon

Nellore: The State government has decided to set up agriculture nine integrated agriculture laboratories in all constituencies. Each lab will cost Rs 15 lakh.

According to officials, places where the labs are to be established have been identified. These labs are for quality check of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and others.

A district-level laboratory will also be set up to coordinate activities of laboratories in the district.

Agriculture Minister K Kanna Babu announced in July this year that agriculture laboratories would be established across the State to ensure that quality seeds, fertiliser and pesticides are supplied to farmers.

The labs at present are located in Guntur, Hyderabad. The farmers have found it difficult to ensure that quality of seeds or fertiliser or pesticides are tested. The establishment of labs will prove to be a boon for the farmers.

Now, as part of the Agriculture Missions, officials have proposed the labs in all constituencies.

The labs are likely to be established at Agriculture Market Committee (AMC) in Nawabpet for Nellore Rural, Rajupalem AMC for Kovur, Tahasil office for Atmakur, Tahasil office for Kavali, Sub- Collector's Office for Gudur, Podalakur AMC for Sarvepalli, MPDO office premises for Udayagiri, AMC area for Sullurpet and the Integrated Laboratory at the district level has been proposed at AMC at Nawabpet in Nellore town or any other convenient place in Nellore rural constituency.

In fact, problem of spurious seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides proved a bane for farming community. Now with the establishment of labs, the farmers are likely to be benefited.