Geo tagging to check irrigation schemes

Tirupati: Commissioner of horticulture department Chiranjeevi Chowdary said that the government has resolved to introduce geo tagging to check irregularities in the schemes sanctioned under Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP).

Addressing media persons after a review meeting on the implementation of APMIP in the Rayalaseema region along with Nellore and Prakasam districts here on Sunday, the commissioner said geo tagging will help to eliminate bogus beneficiaries apart from effective monitoring of the implementation of the scheme.

“The department provided Tabs to 230 field level officers for geo tagging of the areas (lands) covered under APMIP schemes i.e. sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in the districts,” he said. He added that this move will enable the officials to help farmers to improve production by providing know how on best farm practices.

“Six lakh hectares covered under APMIP will be brought under geo tagging in the state,” he averred. Chowdary said that the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) volunteered to help farmers adopt best practices in the four areas i.e. production, postharvest, storage and marketingto get more income and minimize the inputs costs.

“The CII appointed a consultant to submit a report in ten days on the measures to be taken up in the four areas. We will prepare an action plan to boost horticulture base on the recommendations in the report,” he said.