Naidu Orders Comprehensive Crop Calendar To Boost Farm Returns

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed the agriculture and horticulture departments to prepare a comprehensive crop calendar covering the rabi–kharif–rabi seasons to ensure better planning of sowing, harvesting and marketing, with the objective of maximising returns to farmers. The calendar should clearly indicate suitable crops for each season and the benefits to farmers, he said.

Chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat on grain procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, the Chief Minister stressed the need to create awareness among farmers on crop choices, improve produce quality and provide timely guidance during harvesting. Ministers K. Atchannaidu and Nadendla Manohar participated virtually.

Naidu called for strengthening cold-chain infrastructure, focusing on food processing and expanding access to both domestic and international markets. He said logistics facilities such as rail cargo should be effectively utilised to transport farm produce across the country.

The Chief Minister directed officials to complete grain procurement within stipulated timelines in all districts and resolve bank guarantee issues reported from North Andhra Pradesh without causing inconvenience to farmers. During the review, he spoke to the State Level Bankers’ Committee convenor and instructed banks to issue guarantees uniformly across the State. Emphasising swift governance, he warned millers against any irregularities in the procurement process.

On the mango sector, Naidu said that despite financial constraints, the State government had extended ₹184 crore in subsidies and was paying an additional ₹4 per kg to mango farmers—an incentive not offered in other States. He urged pulp processing units to act fairly and warned of strict action against those deliberately causing losses to farmers or attempting to tarnish the government’s image. District collectors were directed to resolve farmers’ grievances within 10 days.

Observing that farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were compelled to sell mangoes at market prices, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh was proactively supporting its growers. He added that more food processing units would be brought in to create a strong ecosystem, particularly for Totapuri mango farmers.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to organise a horticulture produce exhibition in January. Noting that Andhra Pradesh already ranks first nationally in fruit production, he said the State should emerge as a global hub for fruit production, with special focus on Prakasam and Rayalaseema districts.