Ready to adopt innovative practices, says Chandrababu Naidu

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday that the State is ready to adopt innovative practices in agriculture sector to boost paddy production.

He asked the scientists to educate farmers on the best practices so that they can be implemented from the ensuing rabi season in the State. Naidu felt that India should match China in paddy yields and agriculture production.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the India Rice Conclave-2017 at a hotel here on Wednesday. Scientists and entrepreneurs in agro business attended the inaugural day of the two-day conclave which will discuss on paddy yields, technology being used in paddy cultivation, use of fertilisers, pests and mechanisation in harvesting.

Chandrababu Naidu said India achieved food security for its people but the farmers lacked security in the country. He said farmers have been facing problems due to natural calamities and fluctuations in the market price.

He said due to the efforts made by great scientists like M S Swaminathan, the nation has achieved self-sufficiency in food production and there is food security to the people.

Naidu has asked the scientists taking part in the conclave to provide suggestions on pest control and reducing use of fertilisers as Andhra Pradesh is ready to implement the best practices in paddy production from the ensuing rabi season.

He said drones are very useful to sprinkle the pests. The Chief Minister said agriculture sector contributes 27.5 per cent to GSDP and provides livelihood to 60 per cent of the rural population in AP.

He questioned why average paddy production in India stands only at 2,440 kg per hectare against the average yield of 8000 kg in China. He pointed out that China is far ahead compared to India in getting the highest yield in paddy.

He said average paddy production per hectare in AP stands at 5,190 kg against the national average of only 2,440 kg. He said China is getting the highest yield of 15,000 kg per hectare and asked the Indian scientists to do research to achieve such high yields in our country also.

Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said the seeds produced in Andhra Pradesh are exported to Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Korea, Myanmar and other Asian countries. He asked the scientists to find the best practices to enhance the paddy yield in the State. Earlier Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of commerce, welcomed the gathering.

MP Kesineni Srinivas, Visva Bharati University Vice-Chancellor Swapan Kumar Datta, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor V Damodar Naidu, Special Commissioner of Agriculture M Hari Jawaharlal, Special Chief Secretary of Agriculture B Rajasekhar and farmers were present on the inaugural day of the two-day meet.