Date:23/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/23/stories/2005042309990400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

All set for Rythu Yatras from April 25

Special Correspondent

Farmers to be educated on new methods

HYDERABAD: The administration is gearing up for the conduct of Rythu Chaitanya Yatras in the State from April 25 to May 15. The programme will be formally launched by the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on April 25 at Hyderabad. It will be simultaneously flagged off in districts by in-charge ministers, MLAs and mandal presidents.

Agriculture officers in each mandal will visit villages as part of the yatra to educate farmers before the onset of the agriculture season on issues like use of proper inputs, diversification of crops, drip irrigation and the means for taking loans.

Mechanisation

They will be advised to switch over to mechanisation for which Rs. 120 crores was set aside for the first time this year. The farmers will be enlightened on allied activities such as horticulture, animal husbandry, marketing, fisheries and sericulture with focus on the facilities available under different schemes.

The Agriculture Minister, N. Raghuveera Reddy, who interacted with officers for two hours on Friday through a video conference, told reporters that the yatra would be followed up by rythu sadassus at district level from May 25 to June 5 to assess the level of achievement. There would be meetings and exhibitions of farm tools.

Yes to soya

Asked if this was a plan replace conventional crops like paddy and chilli, he replied on the negative, adding that it was to encourage crops like soyabean.