VIZIANAGARAM: Minister for Agriculture N. Raghuveera Reddy has said that Vizianagaram district will be included in the five districts that are to be selected this year for considering village as unit for crop insurance. He said already insurance cover to villages in five districts was extended during the last two years.

Research station

Speaking at Rythu Sadassu on Bhimasingi Sugar Factory grounds in Jami mandal on Saturday, Mr. Reddy announced 100 per cent subsidy for mango growers in Vizianagaram district keeping in view the export variety being raised by them.

He said that the first mango consignment to USA was already sent and added that that the exports to USA and Japan would be increased further. In order to maintain quality of mango, vapour treatment plant at a cost of Rs. 20 crores at Nuzvidu in Krishna district was being set up, Mr. Reddy said. He promised to consider a mango research station in Vizianagaram after holding talks with Agriculture University officials.

Saying that the Chief Minister had raised the subsidy from 60 per cent to 70 per cent for drip irrigation, he said that the government would include drip irrigation works in National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.

Mr. Reddy announced 75 per cent subsidy for vermicompost and 50 per cent subsidy for setting up sheep rearing units (each unit consisting of 20 sheep and one ram). He said 6,000 units would be sanctioned this year. Mr. Reddy said that insurance premium per sheep was reduced from Rs. 18 to Rs. 16 and the government had been spending Rs. 30 crores every year. In Vizianagaram district, 90,000 sheep only were insured against 3.90 lakh sheep and the farmer was getting Rs. 1000 per sheep as compensation, he said and added that deworming was now made free.

Six hurt

Six farmers were injured when the private bus they were travelling by to attend the Rythu Sadassu overturned while negotiating a curve at Gudepuvalasa in Bhogapuram mandal.

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