Govt plans to gradually reduce use of chemicals in cultivation Dr Dilli Rao reveals plans to explore integration of advanced technologies in agriculture

Dr S Dilli Rao, on Wednesday, assumed office as the Commissioner and Director of the Agriculture Department at its headquarters in Mangalagiri, Guntur district. His induction ceremony included traditional Veda Ashirvachanams performed by Vedic scholars.
On his first day at the new position, Dr Dilli Rao honoured several distinguished farmers such as Pokala Pamulu, Veerishetti Sivaiah, Srinivasa Rao, G Gopala Rao, R Venkateswara Rao, and V Jagan Mohan Rao, recognising their contributions and achievements in the field.
Addressing the media, Dr Dilli Rao outlined the forthcoming welfare measures to be implemented by the Agriculture Department. He emphasised the department’s intention to train its officials to educate farmers about reducing the use of chemical products in cultivation gradually. The initiative aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and environmental stewardship.
Dr Dilli Rao underlined the importance of his commitment to improving farmers’ incomes across the State. He highlighted plans to explore the integration of advanced technologies in agriculture, aiming to optimise productivity and efficiency. Emphasising the adoption of best practices, he underscored the department’s focus on leveraging technology to reduce operational costs.
Further, he highlighted the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative, expressing the government’s commitment to support it further. He drew inspiration from the international recognition of the ‘Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity’ to underscore the importance of sustainable farming practices. Dr Dilli Rao emphasized the need to raise awareness among farmers about the detrimental effects of chemical-based farming on soil fertility, advocating for practices that promote long-term soil health.
Regarding economic measures, Dr Dilli Rao stated that the government is actively working to ensure fair and affordable prices for agricultural produce. This initiative aims to benefit both farmers and consumers while boosting agricultural productivity. He extended gratitude to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu, and Chief Secretary Nirabh Kumar Prasad for entrusting him with the responsibility, citing his background with a Master’s Degree in Agriculture.
He reaffirmed his dedication to implementing various state and central government schemes aimed at uplifting farmers. Additionally, Dr Dilli Rao expressed ambitions to increase agricultural growth from the current four per cent to five per cent, focusing on sustainable development and technological integration to achieve this goal.
Dilli Rao further underscored his commitment to ensuring integrity within the agriculture sector by issuing a stern warning to traders involved in the sale of counterfeit fertilisers and pesticides. He emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards fraudulent practices, signalling stringent actions against offenders to safeguard farmers and consumers alike.
Aligned with the vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Dr Dilli Rao expressed his determination to elevate the Agriculture Department to a position of prominence across all sectors. He outlined his strategy to achieve this goal, emphasising the need for comprehensive planning aimed at positively impacting the lives of farmers through innovative policies and initiatives.
The event was attended by key officials including Agriculture Department Deputy Director RVV Swarna Jaya Lakshmi, Agriculture Extension and Training Centre Director B. Prasad, ATMA Director VV Vijaya Lakshmi, Joint Director V. Sridhar, SE T. Balasubrahmanyam, and other notable figures from the agricultural community.