Date:10/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/10/stories/2008061057730300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Remunerative MSP on cards for ryots

Special Correspondent

Srikakaulam: Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao on Monday assured farmers that the Government would ensure a remunerative MSP (minimum support price) for paddy and some benefit to farmers who had not been covered by the Central Government’s loan waiver scheme.

Addressing farmers at the third and last divisional ‘rythu sadassu’ in the market yard at Palakonda, Mr. Prasada Rao exhorted farmers to follow suggestions of experts and scientists and improve yields. The Government on its part would extend all possible help to farmers.

Important role

He complimented farmers and officials for achieving 183 lakh MTs of food grains production in the State. He said that 25 lakh farmers in the State were benefited by free power supply scheme. The Minister saw an important role to ‘adarsa rythulu’ in making Andhra Pradesh the number one State in food production.

Minister for Forests Environment Science and Technology Satrucherla Vijayaramaraju said farmers played a crucial role in ensuring food security to all. S.V. Ramana, chairman of the District Cooperative Central Bank, said benefit that would accrue to farmers because of loan waiver scheme in the district was to the tune of Rs. 30 crore.