RBKs nominated for UN award: Kakani Govardhan Reddy

Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's brainchild Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) have won international recognition on being nominated for United Nations Organisation(UNO) Award.

Revealing this at a press conference here on Wednesday, minister for agriculture Kakani Govardhan Reddy said the RBK initiative was nominated for Centre for Champion Award, the highest recognition given by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UNO acknowledging the outstanding contribution by governments to increase food security.

RBKs, which serve as a one-stop shop for farmers, have been a gamechanger in agriculture sector, he said. RBK concept is one of the six initiatives that were nominated for Centre for Champion Award as the initiative has revolutionised agriculture sector by facilitating farmers' needs from seed to sale.

The minister said that RBKs have been a role model, serving at the village level for the past two years and the 10,778 outlets have been supplying quality seeds, fertilisers and pesticides besides farm machinery and have become hubs of knowledge.

Govardhan Reddy said TDP leaders have no moral right to speak on farmers' issues, as the agriculture sector was grossly neglected during TDP rule.

Recalling the pending arrears of previous government, he said that the Chief Minister had cleared all the dues, where Rs 23.4 crore compensation was paid to the family members of the farmers who committed suicide, Rs 119.44 crore dues towards crop insurance for rabi was cleared and about Rs 784 crore was paid towards interest-free loans. He asserted that the current government is committed to the agriculture sector and farmers' welfare.