Date:01/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/01/stories/2006060110280500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Groundnut seed supply launched

Staff Reporter

State takes up task by allocating funds and machinery

Farmers pleased with early monsoon this year, says Diwakar Reddy
Farmers to be supplied with a maximum of 90 kgs of seeds

Subsidy of Rs. 8 per kg on supply of groundnut seeds

SMILE OF PROGRESS: Minister for Panchayat Raj J.C.Diwakar Reddy making a point before handing over a subsidised seed groundnut bag to a farmer at Anantapur on Wednesday.

ANANTAPUR : The supply of subsidised groundnut seeds to farmers was launched by Minister for Panchayat Raj and Endowments J.C. Diwakar Reddy here on Wednesday. The supply of chemical for seed treatment and seeds of alternative crops was also inaugurated by the Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister asked the farmers to utilise the scheme properly without giving any scope for diversion of subsidised seed to middlemen. The State Government had taken up the task by allocating funds and its machinery for the purpose, he noted.

He explained that the farmers had got Rs. 133 crores crop insurance claims, Rs. 83 crores of input subsidy and Rs. 35 crores on seed subsidy this year. Together, the farmers were benefited by about Rs. 250 crores, he said.

Stating that the farming community was pleased with the early monsson this year, he said taking up the supply of subsidised groundnut seed in the month of May had also happened for the first time. The small and marginal farmers would be supplied with a maximum of 90 kgs of seeds through 60 sale points. Besides, chemical for seed treatment would also be supplied to the farmers on subsidy. In all, 2,92,195 farmers would be benefited with the scheme.