Andhra Pradesh   

No free electricity to farmers who waste it, says YSR

Staff Reporter

Stresses need for crop diversification and modification

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday said farmers who did not install capacitors on their pumpsets by March 31, 2006, and conserve water by avoiding paddy cultivation under borewells and wells would be deemed ineligible for the free power supply scheme.

Dr. Reddy declared that farmers dependent on pumpsets would not be allowed to grow paddy during the rabi season. Without elaborating further, he said there was need for crop diversification and modification. It was regrettable that farmers were sowing paddy under borewells and open wells during the rabi season, notwithstanding the precarious groundwater position.

Speaking at a Farmers' Day function organised as part of the golden jubilee of the State's formation, he pointed out that paddy needed 60 lakh litres of water an acre while sunflower, groundnut and maize required 14, 18 and 20 lakh litres respectively.

`Jalayagnam' useful

There was a need to maintain the ecological balance, he said, adding that `Jalayagnam' consisted of increasing irrigation potential by harnessing both river and rainwater. Without naming the Telugu Desam Party, the Chief Minister said no amount of criticism would stop the Congress Government from going ahead with `Jalayagnam'.

Detailing the farmer-friendly initiatives of the Government, he urged all concerned to increase agricultural productivity four-fold in three years. Referring to the Centre's allocation of over Rs. 300 crores to the State for the horticulture mission, he said farmers should take advantage of this initiative and diversify from traditional agriculture into growing fruits and vegetables besides planting pongamia trees on bunds for water conservation.

Commitment

Minister for Agriculture N. Raghuveera Reddy reiterated the Government's commitment to improving the lot of farmers. The copious rain this year meant 95 per cent profit for most farmers and the Government was trying to help people to cope up with the remaining who suffered losses due to excessive rainfall.

The Chief Minister inaugurated a WTO and a Gender Cell, located at the office of the Commissioner, Agriculture.

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