Work on chemical-free Agriculture practices: CM

Hyderabad, May 11: With Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Gates Foundation evincing interest to support the state government's primary sector mission, Chief Minister Sri N. Chandrababu Naidu stressed on implementing best agricultural practices.

In a meeting to review the results of last year's Kharif season, he emphasized on working towards creating a system which will help the farmers gain profit over their crop every month.

The Chief Minister stressed on working towards a paradigm shift towards eco-agriculture. He directed the officials to prepare an action plan and monitor its implementation of chemical-free agriculture practices. 'Even though you aim for high results, impact must begin from lower strata,' he added.

Citing effective examples of agriculture in states of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister directed the officials to work on those lines to replicate similar results in the state.

In a presentation by the department, the Chief Minister was informed on the success story of a farmer in Guntur district, who was able to get Rs 25,000 per half acre, without using pesticides.

He asked the officials to encourage such innovative agricultural practices in other places in the With Kharif season soon approaching, the Chief Minister enquired on the preparatory measures taken by the department at micro and macro levels. He also sought update on creating a repository of seed banks.

The officials were also asked to work on strengthening the water management. The Chief Minister also directed them to work on encouraging inter-crop farming.

The Agricultural Department also pitched for the construction of tanks for preparing Compost manure with plant and animal waste. The Chief Minister was also informed about the experimental agricultural practices that have been put to practice in Kurnool, Anantapur and Vizianagaram districts.

The officials added that they are implementing Poly-crop technique in the tribal areas in Viziangaram where there is a scarcity of water. 'Take help of Rythu Mithra and Self-Help Groups to implement such innovative agricultural practices,' the Chief Minister added.

Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Minor Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, Rural and Urban Development and Panchayat Raj must be integrated, he added.

Minister for Agriculture Prathipati Pulla Rao, Special Chief Secretary (Agriculture) Vijay Kumar, Principal Secretary to CM Satish Chandra, Secretary to CM Sai Prasad and others were present.