Seeds, fertilisers right at ryots’ doorsteps

• First of its kind initiative by TRS govt
• 33% subsidy on seeds, says Pocharam

Hyderabad: The TRS government has vowed to end miseries of farmers in procuring seeds and fertilisers this Kharif season. Unlike previous governments, which used to supply the seeds and fertilizers at mandal headquarters, the new government has decided to take the seeds right near their doorstep of the farmers. It has also decided to offer 33 per cent subsidy on seeds to farmers.

Elaborating details after a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister with senior officials of the department, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy said that the seeds and fertilisers including DAP would be made available in every village from now. Officials of agriculture department, revenue authorities would be deputed to ensure smooth supply of material, he added.

“Under the earlier system seeds and fertilizers used to be distributed from a single location in each mandal. Chaos and incidents of lathicharge on farmers were the order of the day. However, form now onwards, the distribution of seeds will be taken up in a systematic manner by the government, the Minister explained. Pocharam said that paddy and soya bean seed stocks have already been sent to districts. “The government has already disbursed 1.10 lakh quintals of seeds through seed corporation, Markfed, Oilfed and Agriculture Cooperative Association (HACA) against the requirement of 1, 79,500 quintals. The remaining quantity will be sent by June 10,” the Minister said.

Pocharam pointed out that thus far they disbursed 6.5 lakh tonnes of urea against the requirement of 17.44 lakh tonnes. He appealed to the farmers not to be in a hurry to go in for sowing soyabean seeds but wait for full onset of the monsoon.