2.27 lakh hectares paddy cultivation target for Kharif

Kakinada: District Collector Kartikeya Mishra has said that they have set a target to cultivate paddy in 2.27 lakh hectares for the coming Kharif season in East Godavari district.

While reviewing the progress of agriculture and allied departments at the Collectorate on Tuesday, Mishra said that water to Godavari canals would be released during the first week of June after summer closure. He directed the agriculture department officials to be ready for early sowing, covering 50,000 hectares in June.

He also instructed them to distribute the targeted 2.32 lakh soil health cards to the farmers by the end of May. He suggested the officials that they should take necessary steps to increase the per capita loan to the farmers from Rs 24,000 to Rs 35,000, supply of micro nutrients during June and July.

With regard to farm mechanization, Mishra said that seven percent of the total implements should be allotted to the tribals in the agency area.