Agriculture Technology Management Agency boosts mixed, integrated farming

Kakinada: Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), the nodal agency of Union Agriculture Ministry has taken up a special drive for encouraging both mixed and integrated farming in a big way in East Godavari. As part of this, both natural and organic farming are being encouraged in delta as well as upland areas with a special financial incentive of Rs 20,000 per acre to the farmers who take up the activity.

As far as mixed farming is concerned, fisheries activity is mandatory. Apart from vegetable crops, guava, maize, paddy and other commercial crops are being encouraged as they provide better financial returns to farmers. For integrated farming, in addition to vegetable crops, paddy, banana and papaya are being encouraged.

ATMA has divided the district into 60 clusters and is supervising the drive. It has taken up awareness programmes to educate the farmers and successfully conducted 107 of the proposed 210 programmes under the guidance of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kalavacharla and the research centre of YSR Agriculture University, in the district.

Water resources will be provided to uplands areas with the assistance of AP Micro Irrigation Corporation wherever the need arises. ATMA has also arranged a special tour programme for 38 progressive farmers to Chattisgarh and Maharashtra in August.

P Padma, ATMA project director (East Godavari) said that out of 64 selected farmers, Rs 20,000 was extended to 46 as a special sop for taking up both types of farming in the first phase. Another 18 are to be extended the incentive as they are still at the implementation stage. The list has been submitted to the district collector for financial clearance, she said.