Efforts on to increase horticulture acreage:Kartikeya Misra

Kakinada: Keeping in view the potential of horticultural crops in the district, there is a need for taking up micro-irrigation projects in a big way in East Godavari district, said district collector Kartikeya Misra.He reviewed the progress of micro-irrigation projects in the district at Collectorate, here on Wednesday .In this connection, he said the identified potential of 71,229 hectares in the district for horticultural crops should be supported by drip and sprinklers. He also suggested them to call for a meeting with micro-irrigation companies and progressive farmers to encourage micro-irrigation.

In the meeting, the collector had fixed targets for promotion drip irrigation of two to three thousand acres in each division by motivating farmers .While reviewing horticultural crops in the district, the collector suggested them to fix the targets for area expansion and to strive for achieving the targets.The collector reviewed the integrate pest management methods, establishment of ripening chambers, functioning of departmental nurseries in the meeting .

While reviewing the functioning of various welfare Corporations, collector said these programs were the top most priority to the government and should be fast tracked for immediate grounding. The collector also reviewed the progress of housing in the district and directed the EEs and DEs to expedite sanction and grounding of houses.Joint Collector J Radha krishna Murthy, In-Charge DRO ,M Jyothi Project director micro irrigation M Subba Rao were also present.