Hyderabad: The government has lifted its advisory against certain crops, especially cotton, for the Yasangi (Rabi) season, thanks to good rains, full tanks and sufficient groundwater. The government is encouraging farmers to increase the cropped area above the season normal of 12.08 lakh hectares.
In the past the government had cautioned against paddy cultivation in areas having insufficient water and cotton cultivation the the just-ended Kharif season due to fluctuating international prices.
Agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy said there was no bar on any crop this Yasangi. “Farmers under the Nizamsagar project are raising paddy. Thanks to bountiful rainfall, there is no water problem. Tanks are full and groundwater is sufficient,” he said. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, he said, was giving a fillip to mechanisation in the farm sector.
“We are looking for the best tractors and agricultural implements at affordable prices. The government is providing subsidy. I am personally checking tractors of various brands and engine output. The state level bankers meet has promised to disburse Rs 15,000 crore crop loans,” he said.
