Pemmasani Says Scientific Farming Key to Raise Farmers’ Incomes
Highlighting plans of cultivating cotton, he said new high-yielding and pest-resistant cotton varieties would be made available to an additional 20,000–30,000 acres next year
VIJAYAWADA: A comprehensive action plan aimed at enhancing farmers’ incomes through scientific farming practices, modern technology, mechanisation, and use of quality seeds is being implemented across Andhra Pradesh, union Rural Development and Communications minister of state Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar has said.
Speaking after holding a review meeting with agriculture department officials and scientists from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) in Guntur on Thursday, Pemmasani outlined a series of initiatives designed to improve yields of paddy, cotton, chickpea, and chilli, while reducing production costs at the same time.
The union minister said a special system would be established in every village, comprising agriculture department officials, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scientists, and four progressive farmers, to promote scientific agricultural practices at the grassroots level. Proper crop planning will enable farmers to cultivate even a third crop, instead of limiting themselves to two seasonal crops.
Scientists suggested that timely cultivation of crops, such as sesame, could provide farmers an additional income of up to ₹30,000 per acre. Further, use of quality seeds could improve paddy yields by two to five per cent.
Pemmasani said ANGRAU has been tasked with producing quality paddy seeds sufficient for at least 80,000 acres. Farmers participating in seed production are expected to earn nearly ₹20,000 more per acre than under conventional cultivation.
Highlighting plans of cultivating cotton, he said new high-yielding and pest-resistant cotton varieties would be made available to an additional 20,000–30,000 acres next year. Similarly, the NBG-1267 chickpea variety, which has shown potential to increase yields by nearly 20 per cent, will be introduced in at least 10,000 acres.
Coming to chilli farmers, the focus will be on mechanisation, rational use of pesticides, and modern drying facilities to reduce cultivation costs. Studies are underway to introduce advanced harvesting and drying equipment.
The union minister said green manure coverage, which has reached 60,000 acres this year, would be expanded to 80,000 acres next year. Dedicated YouTube channels will be launched to issue location-specific scientific farming advisories.
Pemmasani announced that a Mega Mechanisation Mela will be held at ANGRAU from June 22 to June 24, while mini mechanisation fairs will be organised across the district to create awareness among farmers.
In a major technology-driven initiative, one youth from each of around 230 villages will be trained as a drone pilot to ensure that drone-based agricultural services are available in every village, the union minister stated.