Andhra Pradesh   

100 p.c. subsidy for A.P. horticulture farmers

Special Correspondent

One lakh acres to be brought under the scheme: Minister

HYDERABAD: In a move that is expected to give a boost to horticulture, the Andhra Pradesh Government on Friday announced 100 per cent subsidy to the small and marginal farmers.

The new scheme that comes into effect from Friday enables the small and marginal farmers to cultivate horticulture crops up to five acres with full subsidy. Farmers would be provided with saplings, fertilisers and `paid labour' charges. Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems would be provided to the farmers at 70 per cent subsidy.

Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy, who is embarking on a tour of US along with Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy from Saturday, addressed a press conference here to announce the scheme and other initiatives for the farm sector.

"One lakh acres will be brought under horticulture this year under the scheme," Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said pointing out that funds from the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and National Horticulture Mission would be pooled. "Thrust will also be on promotion of bio-diesel plantation for which 100 per cent subsidy is extended at present," he pointed out.

The Government has decided to conduct Rythu Chaitanya yatras from May 17.

Similar meetings would be conducted in all revenue divisional headquarters from June 5, the Minister said adding that training programme for the `Adarsha rythu' (model farmers) would commence from May 7.

For the first time the Government would come out with the Comprehensive Annual Action Plan for farmers on May 15, a day after the Chief Minister returns from his foreign visit.

To a question on suicides by the farmers, the Minister said it has gradually decreased from a high of 184 in August 2004 to three in March this year.

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