PNS|Vijayawada
Underlining the importance of utilising drones extensively in the agricultural sector, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed officials to ensure the use of drones for soil testing by RBKs (Rythu Bharosa Kendras).
During a review of the Agricultural department’s activities on Friday, the Chief Minister urged officials to make extensive use of drones in soil testing by RBKs. He highlighted that this approach would contribute to the successful implementation of the Plant Doctor concept, aid in accurate productivity estimates, and facilitate the maintenance of related data.
Upon learning that drones are currently used to estimate paddy productivity, Chief Minister Reddy recommended their use for other crops as well. “Although we currently use drones for pesticide spraying, their multifunctionality would greatly benefit farmers,” he remarked. He further stressed the need to equip all 10,000 RBKs with drones. Officials reported that 222 farmers have already received training on drone usage as part of the pilot project. The Agricultural department is procuring high-quality drones certified by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols during their deployment.
To benefit farmers, Chief Minister Reddy proposed the creation of more audiovisual programmes on cultivation methods to be broadcasted through the RBK channel.
Officials explained that efforts are underway, as per the Chief Minister’s instructions, to draft the MSP Act-2023, ensuring minimum support price (MSP) for all agricultural produce and encompassing aqua and dairy farmers within its provisions.
They also highlighted that an additional 4.34 lakh acres have been brought under horticultural cultivation in the past four years. In response, Chief Minister Reddy encouraged the promotion of various horticultural crops used in food processing. He called for increased cold storage facilities, warehouses, and collection centers to support horticultural farmers. Additionally, he suggested that RBKs should play a vital role in marketing and advocated for the procurement of all crops through RBKs, not just paddy.
To empower women and promote self-sufficiency, Chief Minister Reddy urged the establishment of secondary food processing units. He proposed that women be provided loans under the YSR Cheyuta scheme to facilitate the establishment of these units.
Officials informed him that 6,000 micro-units are being established to support women under the Cheyuta Scheme.
As the government establishes drying and primary processing units and distributes agricultural utensils and machinery to farmers, Chief Minister Reddy emphasized the importance of linking these initiatives with RBKs to ensure MSP and eliminate the involvement of middlemen.
Officials stated that agri labs have collected around 2.2 lakh samples to date, with farmers receiving guidance based on the results.
Regarding crop insurance claims for the Rabi crop, officials assured the Chief Minister that efforts are underway to process payments in October and distribute CCRC cards to tenant farmers at Jagananna Suraksha camps. In response, Chief Minister Reddy instructed them to take steps to provide Rythu Bharosa benefits to tenant farmers as well.
He was further informed that an amount of Rs 7802.50 crore has been disbursed to 54.48 lakh farmers under the YSR Free Crop Insurance Scheme.
Agriculture Minister K Govardhan Reddy, Agri Mission Vice Chairman MVS Nagi Reddy, Advisor to Government I. Tirupal Reddy (Agriculture), Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy, Special Chief Secretary Gopalakrishna Dwivedi (Agriculture), Principal Secretary Chiranjeevi Choudary (Marketing and Cooperation), Agriculture Special Commissioner C Harikiran, Horticultural Commissioner SS Sridhar, MARKFED MD Rahul Pandey, APSSDCS VC & MD G Sekhar Babu, Finance Secretary KVV Satyanarayana, APDDCF MD Ahmad Babu, and senior officials were present.
