Hyderabad, March 17 (RAHNUMA): Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Tuesday said that Telangana should emerge as a national model in natural farming while launching the distribution of ‘Farmer Kits’ under the National Natural Farming Mission at the state Secretariat.
Interacting with farmers via Rythu Vedikas (Farmers’ platforms) during the “Rythu Nestam” (Farmers’ Friend) programme, the minister reviewed their experiences and challenges. He announced a Rs.42 crore plan to bring 61,125 acres across 489 clusters under natural farming this year.
To support farmers, two ‘Krishi Sakhis’ per cluster have been appointed with a Rs.5,000 monthly honorarium. The government is also promoting Bio-input Resource Centres with Rs.1 lakh support each to help farmers prepare inputs like Jeevamrutham and Beejamrutham.
A “Rythu Mahotsavam” (Farmers’ festival) will be held at Narmetta on Ugadi festival day, featuring 150 stalls from agriculture and allied sectors. In this regard, he directed the Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs), ‘Model Farmers’ (Adarsha Rythulu) and scientists to work in close coordination to provide the necessary guidance to the farmers. Similarly, the government would take special measures to promote the cultivation of oilseeds, pulses and millets. The Minister explained that the oil palm cultivation helps in providing a stable income to the farmers and that losses caused by natural calamities, birds and animals are minimal. On this occasion, the minister announced that the first installment of Rythu Bharosa funds will be released on March 22 by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
