The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : State to focus on farm mechanisation

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Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

State to focus on farm mechanisation

Staff Reporter

50 lakh to 70 lakh farmers to be covered under RCY
MGNREGS adding to problems: farming community

HYDERABAD: In view of the increasing problem of non-availability of labourers for farm work, the State government has decided to focus on creating awareness among the farming community on the need for farm mechanisation during the ‘Rythu Chaitanya Yatralu' (RCYs-farmers' awareness visits), commencing from May 17.

Mechanisation in the farming sector has been sluggish in the State compared to States like Punjab and Haryana, though it has been on the rise over the years. A majority of farmers rely on traditional practices instead of making use of technology for land preparation, sowings, plant protection, harvesting and post-harvesting operations.

Further, it has been a general complaint from the farming community that the MGNREG scheme has also been adding to their problems during the agriculture season. Recognising the intensity of the problem, the government has decided to propagate the use of agriculture implements as much as possible apart from encouraging the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds on a large scale to meet the increasing demand, authorities of the Agriculture Department stated.

The schedule for the RCYs, to be held from May 17 to June 2, was finalised at a meeting of the authorities of the department here on Monday. It has been planned to cover about 50,000 habitations and contact about 50 lakh to 70 lakh farmers as part of the exercise.

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