CM Naidu Pushes Farmer Focus, Pitches Indian School of Agriculture

The proposed institution, he said, would focus on addressing critical challenges in the agricultural sector and promote AI-based agritech solutions to support farmers.
Addressing the collectors’ conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Naidu asked them to prioritise farmers’ welfare and strengthen agricultural systems while leveraging technology to improve governance and service delivery.
He announced several initiatives aimed at boosting agriculture, improving public services and ensuring better law and order across AP.
Naidu also announced that water for the upcoming Kharif season would be released on May 15, ensuring timely irrigation for farmers. Stressing the importance of water security, he directed collectors to implement a 90-day water conservation programme from April 1, which would include desilting works in water bodies across the state.
According to the Chief Minister, groundwater levels in the state have improved and these currently stood at 8.10 metres. Better groundwater availability could help the government save nearly `14,000 crore in power subsidy. He also informed officials that 614tmc of water is presently available in reservoirs across the state.
Naidu said the Veligonda project would be completed by July, while the Polavaram project is targeted for completion by 2027, strengthening the irrigation infrastructure in the state.
As part of welfare initiatives, the CM announced that 2.5 lakh houses would be inaugurated through house-warming ceremonies as an Ugadi gift to the beneficiaries. He also unveiled a new initiative called ‘Indradhanassu’, which would provide free bus travel for persons with physical disabilities.
In a major administrative reform, Naidu said the government aimed to make Andhra Pradesh a land dispute-free state by 2027. To achieve this, a special programme would be conducted on the 9th of every month in all districts to address land issues.
He also reviewed the progress of the “one family-one entrepreneur” initiative, noting that 1.12 lakh women have already emerged as micro-entrepreneurs. The government has set a target to promote five lakh women entrepreneurs.
On governance and administration, Naidu stressed that law and order must not be compromised under any circumstance. Referring to the recent incidents such as diarrhoea cases in Srikakulam, adulterated milk deaths in Rajahmundry and the firecracker unit accident in Vetlapalem, he said negligence and violations of rules must be dealt with firmly.
Naidu directed the collectors to undertake field visits for at least eight days every month, while departmental secretaries should spend four days in districts to closely monitor ground-level implementation of government programmes.
The CM also emphasised infrastructure goals, including providing tap drinking water to every household within two years and ensuring internet connectivity to all homes through the fibre-grid network within three years.
Urging officials to harness technology, Naidu said artificial intelligence would be a game changer in governance, and encouraged wider digital literacy among citizens for the effective use of WhatsApp governance platforms.
On global developments, the chief minister asked officials to monitor the impact of the ongoing war situation on the state and ensure the safety of the Telugus living abroad. He also asked departments to explore alternative export markets for agricultural produce to protect farmers from disruptions in global trade.