To protect farmers from losses, priority should be given to scientific crop planning in line with global and domestic market trends.In Andhra Pradesh. If necessary, procurement of cocoa at ₹500/kg through companies or the government.
I will be discussed with Union Ministers on the problems of farmers – Chief Minister.
He also announced plans to seek a GST reduction of 40% on pure fruit juices from the Centre.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviews the problems faced by farmers growing tobacco, cocoa, mango and rice.
BY-RAJA PENTAPATI AP BUREAU CHIEF
National News
Amravati, May 22,(Bharat News)AP
To protect farmers from losses, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the Agriculture Department to prioritize scientific crop planning in line with global and domestic market trends. He said that informing farmers about suitable crops and cultivation areas in advance will ensure a balanced supply-demand ecosystem. To protect farmer incomes, cultivation should be restricted to crops with strong market demand
The CM advised RTGS and agriculture officials to constantly monitor global developments, market trends and crop yields for informed planning. He said that short-term and long-term challenges in agriculture should be addressed through a ministerial sub-committee, which now has ministers Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Ramanaidu as new members.
In a teleconference with officials and ministers on Thursday, the Chief Minister reviewed the problems faced by farmers growing tobacco, cocoa, mango and paddy.
The Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure that companies buy cocoa at ₹500 per kg and not force farmers to sell below that price. If necessary, the government will come forward to purchase directly. At present, cocoa stocks are estimated at 1,200–1,500 metric tonnes, of which about 600 metric tonnes are with farmers.
The Chief Minister has directed officials to start procurement of about 20 million kg of HD Burley tobacco currently held by farmers. Due to lack of market demand, a harvest holiday has been declared for HD Burley this year to avoid farmer losses. Officials have been told to collect accurate data on the size of HD Burley stock held by each farmer through an app. A special cell in the Tobacco Board is now tracking daily procurement.
In addition, the CM has written to the Union Commerce Ministry to include HD Burley and White Burley varieties under the purview of the Tobacco Board.
Due to lack of orders, procurement of mango pulp has slowed down, worrying about mango farmers. CM Chandrababu Naidu has asked officials to immediately resume procurement by pulp processing companies. However, officials explained that the capacity to purchase new stock is limited due to old stocks and lack of bank loans for pulp companies.
To address this, the CM has directed officials to facilitate bank loans to pulp processing companies. He also announced plans to seek a GST reduction of 40% on pure fruit juices from the Centre.
To increase consumption, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has proposed to distribute mango juice under the mid-day meal scheme and provide it as prasad in Tirumala through TTD.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the challenges faced by tomato farmers and directed officials to encourage more tomato processing units in the state to ensure fair prices. Officials informed him that paddy procurement is going on smoothly and that rain-damaged stock is also being purchased.
Ministers Ayyanna Patrudu, Nadendla Manohar, Gottipati Ravi, Ramanaidu, and Payyavula Keshav participated in the review meeting.
Bharat News Andhra Pradesh
