Date:14/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/14/stories/2008021454730600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Devices to be procured to dry chillies

Staff Reporter

GUNTUR: District Collector Mohammad Ali Rafath has said that poly driers, which have been proven to effectively dry chillies, will be set up at five villages in the district. They will be set up through the Agricultural Market Committee here.

Committee Chairman Lella Appi Reddy has handed over a cheque for Rs.2.85 lakhs to the Horticulture Department to procure the poly driers.

The district Collector along with Mr. Appi Reddy toured the rain affected villages of Medikonduru and Mandapadu villages to get a first hand knowledge of the extent of damage to the farmers cultivating chilli. He also said that efforts were on to provide Celpholin sheets to farmers on a subsidy basis.

Mr. Reddy brought to the notice of the Collector that an order to supply 3,000 covers had been lying with the Spices Board. Horticulture Department Assistant Director D. Madhusudana Reddy underlined the need to properly dry the chillies.