AP State plans to export paddy to Sri Lanka, says Agriculture minister

Nellore: Agriculture minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said that the state government was discussing with Sri Lankan government for exporting paddy stored in warehouses.

Speaking to media after observing the water level at a tank in Thoderu village in Podalakur mandal on Sunday, the minister said the farmers across the district produced 3,400 kg of paddy(4 puttis) (one putti is equal to 850 kg) per acre. Somireddy said that the farmers were able to produce 30 lakh putties of paddy in the district after the government had supplied water for 7 lakh acres.

The minister said the government had supplied 22 tmc feet of water from Krishna river to Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs in the district. Stating that water has been provided to upland areas on par with delta lands, he said and added 25,600 acres were brought under cultivation after construction of siphon with a cost of Rs 40 lakh from Kandaleru left canal.

He informed that they had prepared proposals to construct permanent aqueduct at a cost of Rs 4 crore. Agriculture minister said rice millers from other districts have been procuring paddy from those who provided bank guarantee. He said 5 tmc feet of water was supplied to Swarnamukhi and Kalangi to cultivate crops. He also inspected Chatagotla tank in the village.