The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Cuddapah News : Collector asks bankers to do their bit for farmers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 17, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Cuddapah

Collector asks bankers to do their bit for farmers

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, JUNE 16. The Collector, Jayesh Ranjan, has exhorted bankers to give crop loans generously to farmers in accordance with the State Government's policy to accord utmost priority to the agriculture sector.

Addressing the District Consultative Committee meeting of bankers, he asserted that the Government had announced several concessions for farmers and contemplated providing irrigation facilities to three lakh acres. Plans were formulated to irrigate 1.67 lakh acres under the Telugu Ganga project, 82,000 acres under the Galeru Nagari project, 25,000 acres under the Veligallu project and increase ayacut under the Pulivendula Branch Canal, the Chitravathi balancing reservoir and the Mylavaram reservoir, he said.

Fruit orchards and horticultural plantations in rain-fed areas suffered extensive damage due to scanty rainfall and rapid depletion of groundwater level. Hence, planting of one lakh saplings of neem, kanuga and jathropa in wastelands in the district was targeted. He called upon officials to motivate farmers to take up bio-diesel plantations as an alternative crop. As farmers were being hit by drought, the Government mooted drip and sprinkler irrigation and enhanced the subsidy from 50 per cent to 90 per cent, he said.

The Collector said seven farmers had committed suicide in the district so far and a Farmers' Helpline had been set up to assist the woe-struck ryots seeking official intervention. The outstanding bank loans would be cleared on priority with Government assistance of Rs. 50,000, besides spending Rs. 1 lakh to help the kin of ryots who committed suicide, in resuming agricultural operations, he said.

Disbursement of agricultural loans of Rs. 40 crores was targeted during the kharif season, Mr. Ranjan said. Development of the industrial sector was also planned by the Government, he stated. Besides these proposals, schemes for the welfare of SCs, STs, BCs and minorities were incorporated in the master plan formulated, he said. NABARD was setting up its office in the district, he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Collector asks bankers to do their bit for farmers

Call to spread awareness on welfare schemes

Better infrastructure promised for villages