Date:18/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/18/stories/2005051811230400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Agro industries corporation to be revived

Staff Reporter

Seed, fertilisers and pesticides under one roof: Raghuveera

KURNOOL: The Minister for Agriculture, N. Raghuveera Reddy, has said public sector Andhra Pradesh Agro Industries Corporation will be revived by opening 200 centres this year.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Reddy said the it would act as farmers service centre by offering seed, fertilizers and pesticides under one roof.

The Minister said the Government was aware of the impending shortage of certain types of fertilizers during the middle of the kharif season. The situation was being monitored and the Centre would be requested to allot 50 per cent of the fertilizers to Government agencies for proper distribution.

He said the crop insurance was being implemented in five districts considering village as the unit. Cuddapah, Anantapur, Mahabubnagar, Vizianagaram and Karimnagar were selected for the pilot project this year after the Centre agreed to modify the scheme to benefit more farmers. It was also accepted that the premium was also on the higher side. Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said the State Government had lodged a protest with Central agencies for allowing commercial cultivation of Bt Cotton without the knowledge of the agriculture university in the State.