The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Mandal resource centres opened at 10 places

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Friday, Feb 15, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mandal resource centres opened at 10 places

Staff Reporter

Aim is to make spares of MI units available

To install MI units, ryots need to go to MIP head office
Toll-free phone number installed

Kakinada: As part of the Micro-Irrigation Project (MIP), the District Water Management Agency has recently opened mandal resource centres (MRC) at 10 places in the district to make spare parts of micro-irrigation units available to farmers. Officials of the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments will also be posted at the MRC to give necessary technical advice to farmers.

The MRCs were opened at Amalapuram, Anaparti, Jaggampeta, Katthipudi, Peddapuram, P.Gannavaram, Mummidivaram, Rajahmundry, Ravulapalem and Tuni. However, for installation of new MI units, farmers have to approach the MIP head office in Kakinada.

Besides, a toll free phone (number 18004252371) has been installed at the MIP office in Kakinada to enable farmers to lodge complaints and seek advice.

As regards the performance, the MIP covered 2,285 hectares benefiting 1,288 farmers in 2007-08 up to February 13, 2008. MI units costing Rs 6.99 crore have been installed, including a subsidy component of Rs 4.82 crores. The total number of farmers benefited in the last five years 2003-04 to date is 3,920 against the target of 9,995. The total amount spent in the said period is Rs 18.54 crores.

APMIP Additional Project Director V Satyanarayana said the drip and sprinkler irrigations systems were being provided for horticultural crops, oil palm, sugar cane, mulberry and tobacco.

Mr. Satyanarayana said the MIP was mainly aimed at conserving water and enhancing productivity, thereby facilitating generation of higher incomes by farmers. The advantages are: flexibility in operation, suitability to poor soils, economy in culture practices and less scope for diseases and pest problems.

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Andhra Pradesh