Date:26/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/26/stories/2005042611360400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR launches Rythu chaitanya yatra

Special Correspondent

Teams of officials to reach out to farmers in 50,000 habitations

JAI KISAN: The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, is all smiles after farmers presented him a plough during the launch of the Rythu Chaitanya Yatra in Kothapalli village of Ranga Reddy district on Monday. Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

KOTHAPALLI (RANGA REDDY DISTRICT): The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Monday launched `Rythu chaitanya yatra,' a 21-day programme during which officials from several departments will jointly visit 50,000 habitations to educate farmers on a wide range of issues.

He said the yatra was part of the Government's effort to empower farmers with knowledge and enhance their incomes to enable them to tide over adverse seasonal conditions. While more than 9 of the 22 lakh farmers who did not get loans were covered last year, the remaining 12 lakh-odd ryots would be extended loans during the programme.

Allocation up

The total loan amount given for agriculture and allied sectors last year was Rs. 13,621 crores, roughly 51 per cent more than the previous year.

The chaitanya yatra was a kind of a training class for farmers with the officials explaining a wide variety of aspects, including ways to increase income, productivity, diversify crops, rear cattle and conserve water.

Dr. Reddy also promised to bring Godavari waters to Chevella and surrounding areas within six to nine months as a permanent solution.

Agriculture almanac

The Agriculture Minister, N. Raghuveera Reddy, said the officials from agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, banking, fisheries, marketing and sericulture would visit farmers and interact with them. Stating that an action plan for each village had already been drawn up, he urged ryots to take advantage of the programme. He said an agriculture almanac would be distributed in each of the 50,000 hamlets.

He said the Chief Minister was keen that farmers benefited from Government schemes and research. Stressing the need to reduce the use of pesticides, he said Rs. 800 crores worth of pesticides were used in the State out of Rs. 3,200 crores for the entire country. He asked farmers to be vigilant against sale of fake seed and insecticides.

The Minster for Mines, Sabita Reddy, and the Animal Husbandry Minister, G. Surya Rao, criticised the previous TDP regime for neglecting agriculture and listed the measures being taken by the Government to improve the lot of farmers. The Minor Irrigation Minister A. Chandrasekhar, spoke.