Plans are afoot to transform Anantapur district into a model district in the country with a layout of Rs.500 crore for the sustenance of agriculture, said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) director general, Mr S. Ayyappan.
Plans are afoot to transform Anantapur district into a model district in the country with a layout of Rs.500 crore for the sustenance of agriculture, said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) director general, Mr S. Ayyappan.
The committee consisting of 21 experts led by Mr Ayyappan on Saturday reached here after inspecting a sheep-rearing centre at Penukonda and Krishi Vignana Kendram at Kalyanadurgam, as part of their two-day tour.
The committee also interacted with the farmers during their field study.
Speaking at the Revenue Bhavan here, Mr Ayyappan said that they have studied the report submitted by a central panel, which toured the district in January.
He said that they will prepare an action plan with a layout of Rs.500 crore after their visit to the district for the sustenance of agriculture.
He clarified that they were not here to advise the discontinuation of groundnut but to make it more profitable.
Expressing concerns over the depletion of groundwater levels in as many as 50 mandals of the district, Mr Ayyappan wanted steps for water harvesting.
Referring to the farmers’ interest over dairy farming, he called it as a good development and added that they came to know that the bankers were adamant in giving loans.
Revealing committee’s favour towards groundnut farming in rabi, he advised farmers to take up new varieties of groundnut, which are conducive to the region’s atmosphere.
Mr Ayyappan opined that encouragement should be given to millet crops apart from castor and cluster beans.
Stressing the need for promoting dairy farming and sheep-rearing, he sought the support of politicians and officials in making strides towards development.
He advised the bankers not to link up crop loans when the farmers ask for loans for dairy farming.
The minister for revenue, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, MPs, Mr Ananta Venkatrami Reddy and Mr Nimmala Kistappa, MLAs, Ms Paritala Sunitha, Mr Palle Raghunath Reddy, Mr Madhusudan Gupta, MLC, Mr Gundumala Tip-peswamy, government pri-ncipal secretary, Mr Nagi Reddy, actor Mr Jagapati Babu, collector, Mr V. Dur-gadas and joint collector, Ms Anita Ramachandran were present.
source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> CITIES> Regions> Anantapur / by DC Correspondent / Anantapur / February 24th, 2012