Andhra Pradesh: Rythu Bharosa Kendras to be a go-to place for all needs of farmers

Amaravati: The formal launching of Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) here on Saturday is expected to radically alter the agricultural profile of the state. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, while launching the same, hoped the farmers of the state would benefit with the RBKs immensely.

Though several governments have tried to impact the agricultural sector, farmers never felt safe and secure because of lacunae in the implementation on the one hand and also due to adhoc measures proposed in the plans.

Will the RBKs make the difference? To be housed at village secretariats, these will be provided with kiosks to extend information regarding crops which can be raised to the farmers.

These play the advisory role to the farmers so that he does not blindly follow the agri practices of his neighbourhood. In addition, he will be assured of distribution of quality seeds.

The RBKs will also give information on market price for various crops, including the competitive prices ruling at the time, and also information pertaining to meteorology which is expected to help the farmer in zeroing on what to cultivate and as to how to save the crop in the eventuality of a bad weather.

Rythu Bharosa Kendras are aimed at providing all farm-related services to the farmers, said H Arun Kumar, commissioner of agriculture. "It is a single window system for all farm activity and farmers need not run around groping in the dark. Just trust the information, given by the RBKs and follow it. No farmer shall have regrets," he added.

The commissioner said that the RBKs, which would be housed in the village secretariats (Grama Sachivalayams), would have kiosks to provide services like information regarding crops to be undertaken by the farmers and distribution of quality seeds to the farmers.

These 10,641 RBKs would be started all over the state would be manned by agriculture graduates. The RBKs which would supply seeds for paddy and groundnut crops.

The Chief Minister contemplates to transform the RBKs into crop purchasing centres in future. The holistic view adopted by the Chief Minister would also mean that these RBKs would provide information relating to horticulture and fisheries too apart from agriculture.

Soil testing would also be undertaken. Books useful for farmers would also be made available at RBKs, according to officials.

A database on cattle with health cards would be maintained for the benefit of the farmer, it is said.

Sekhar Babu, director of AP Seeds, said that distribution of seeds would be undertaken at village-level. He said that eight lakh quintals of seeds for the crops of paddy, groundnut and green gram would be readied. "Quality seeds on subsidy would be provided through RBKs," he said.

Srikesh Lakhar, managing director of AP Agros, said that fish seed, pesticides and fertilisers would be supplied through RBKs.

He said that the Agros, which acts as nodal agency, got readied 65 godowns in all the 13 districts.

He said that the farmers could hire the agriculture machinery through RBKs. Necessary training was being given to the staff to man the RBK kiosks, he added.