The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Record foodgrains expected

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Sunday, Sep 14, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Record foodgrains expected

Special Correspondent

State sets target of 210 lakh tonnes in 2008-09

Normal kharif area of 79 lakh hectares fully sown
Buoyancy in the farm sector following good rain

HYDERABAD: A good monsoon, among various other favourable factors, has made the government fix a record foodgrain production target of 210 lakh tonnes for the State in 2008-09.

This is a good 12 lakh tonnes higher than last year’s production of 198.16 lakh tonnes. The government is optimistic of a record yield since the normal kharif area of 79 lakh hectares in the State has been fully sown while there is buoyancy in the farm sector as a result of the various initiatives it has taken for farmer’s welfare.

The government is hopeful that the sown area may go up due to the additional ayacut brought under cultivation under Jalayagnam.

Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy and D. A. Somayajulu, Advisor to Government, Economic Affairs, told reporters here on Saturday that those possessing lands were tempted now to take to cultivation as the government had cut down inputs costs, except wages for farm labour. Asked why the price of rice was skyrocketing if there was agriculture boom, the Minister contended that rice price in AP was lower than that in many other States.

Loan waiver

Mr. Reddy said cheques of Rs. 5,000 each to the farmers left out from the loan waiver scheme of the Centre would be distributed in October. The banks promised to come up with details of the eligible farmers by this month-end.

The Minister complimented Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on the State being selected for “agriculture leadership award” by the Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee headed by Haryana Governor A. R. Kidwai, and with which personalities like M. S. Swaminatham and V. Kurien are associated.

He said he had been deputed by the Chief Minister to receive the award on his behalf in New Delhi oh September 19. The efforts made by Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy were such that Andhra Pradesh accounted for 61 lakh tonnes out of the 165 lakh tonnes of increase in foodgrains production registered by the country in 2007-08, he added.

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