Farm loans will be waived after the end of election code: Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy

Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister S. Niranjan Reddy on Friday announced that the Telangana Government would waiver off the crop loans, as promised in the election manifesto, after the end of Model Code of Conduct in the State. He also promised the State Government would organise Seed Melas in all the District Headquarters from next year onwards to supply quality seeds to the farmers.

The minister was speaking after inaugurating the Seed Mela – 2019 at the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) Auditorium premises in Rajendranagar. The Seed Mela is being organised by the PJTSAU in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture and local ICAR Research Institutes such as Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Indian Institute of Oil seed Research (IIOR), Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture(CRIDA), ATARI, NAARM, directorate of Poultry, National Seeds Corporation (NSC), Telangana State Seed Development Corporation(TSSDC), Telangana State Seed and Organic Certification Agency (TSSOCA) and Veterinary and Horticultural Universities.

Niranjan Reddy said that the long term initiatives taken by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao have brought tremendous and revolutionary changes in the agricultural sector in the State. Many states are emulating the schemes being implemented by Telangana Government for the welfare of farmers. He also announced that the loan wavier would be implemented once the election code is over. He said that the government was firm on strengthening the agricultural sector which is providing large scale employment to the population. Initiatives will be continued in the agriculture sector to make it more profitable to the farmers in the state, he said.

PJTSAU Vice Chancellor Dr. V Praveen Rao gave an overview of the Seed Mela -2019 and explained the efforts made to supply of quality seed to the farmers. He said that the university was planning to release 8 new varieties in Rice, Pulses, Maize crops in next month. This year, a dedicated stall has been arranged to explain about the new technologies to the farmers. He tendered his thanks to the farmers who are continuously encouraging the university scientists and adopted the newer technologies and new varieties. He added that for the benefit of the farmers Seed Melas were organized at Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS) at Jagitial, Warangal and Palem in Nagarkurnool District simultaneously.

Commissioner of Agriculture Rahul Bojja, Director of Research PJTSAU and the directors of the local ICAR research institutes Dr. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Dr. SR Oleti, Dr. Vilas A. Tonapi, Dr. Ravindrachary, Dr. Prasad, Director Seeds Dr. Pradeep, Director TSSOCA Dr. Keshavulu several others also participated.

Large number of farmers attended the Seed Mela and also purchased the seeds.