ONGOLE: District Collector B. Udaya Lakshmi has directed the agriculture and horticulture officials to help farmers switch over from tobacco to other crops like bengalgram, sweet orange, etc, on at least 15,000 acres in the ensuing season in the Kondepi Assembly constituency.

Addressing a review meeting of the constituency held here today, she asked the officials to identify farmers willing to give up tobacco, educate them on alternative crops, provide them inputs like seeds and facilities like drip irrigation. She asked them to take a team of farmers for exposure tour on horticulture crops in Kadapa district.

Fixing of capacitors

Ms. Udaya Lakshmi convened the meeting at the instance of Kondepi MLA Pothula Rama Rao to resolve the problems brought to his notice during the Prajapatham programme. She wanted officials to complete repairs in the next 15 days by appointing helpers wherever necessary and encourage farmers to install capacitors to their motors.

She said 50 per cent of the development funds were spent to solve drinking water problems in the constituency. The Government had sanctioned Rs. 75 crores to provide protected water supply schemes in Indiramma model villages.

She asked agriculture officials to encourage farmers to take to Sri Vari method of paddy cultivation and supply them seed well in advance of the season. Mr. Rama Rao requested the Collector to provide loans for milch cattle to self-help groups to achieve tangible results in eradicating poverty. He wanted the officials to supply good breed animals and fodder to help farmers achieve higher milk yield. He said four private dairies are ready to buy milk in his constituency.

Ms. Udaya Lakshmi directed the Animal Husbandry Department to identify farmers and land to raise fodder on 3,000 acres to meet the needs of the increased number of cattle. Mr. Rama Rao said proposals have been sent to the government to provide protected water to 24 habitations around Marripudi village at a cost of Rs. 10 crores. He thanked the electricity officials to installing 494 single-phase transformers to solve low voltage problem in his constituency.

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