Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Smt Shobha Karandlaje underlined the need to promote agriculture exports which could facilitate doubling of farmers income within a reasonable timeframe.
She stated that the Central government would work closely with the state government to propel India as a major exporter of agriculture products.
Speaking at a meeting with senior agriculture officials of the state and central government at BRKR Bhavan today, the minster emphasized the need to have a dedicated cell to monitor agriculture exports which would coordinate with the centre, state government, APEDA and the farmers to ensure that the farmers get value addition to their produce. She complimented the state government for taking up ambitious programme of growing oil palm in 20 lakh acres in the state which would help save the country lots of foreign exchange.
Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation and marketing Sri S Niranjan Reddy briefed the union minister about the various initiatives of the state government which had resulted in 38 per cent increase in crop area and 68 per cent increase in crop production during the last seven years. He stated that the focus of the state government is to increase profitability to the farmers, retain rural youth in agriculture, crop diversification, farm mechanization, increased emphasis on horticulture especially oil palm and improving nutrient and fertilizer efficiency.
Chief Secretary Sri Somesh Kumar IAS referred to the Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project as an engineering marvel and which has resulted in increasing ground water level. He also drew the attention of the Union Minister about the innovative schemes which are being implemented only in Telangana state such as Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima and Rythu Vedikas.
Secretary Agriculture Sri Raghunandan Rao said that irrigation, power, investment support, extension systems, input supply, infrastructure support and social security for farmers are the major drivers of the exponential growth of agriculture potential in the state.
Dr V Praveen Rao, VC PJTSAU, Dr Neeraja Prabhakar VC SKLTSHU, Dr P Chandrashekara Director General MANAGE, Dr Vilas A Tonapi Director IIMR and Sri Muralidhar MD TSCOB made a power point presentation highlighting the various activities taken up by their respective organizations.Smt Shomitha Biswas, Joint Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare government of India, Sri Z H Kondiba Commissioner Agriculture, Sri L Venkatram Reddy, Director of Horticulture, Dr K Ramulu MD TSAGROS, and other officials from I
