The government declared fresh initiatives to transform agriculture and develop an interest among farmers for new methods of cultivation. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that farmers will be provided with incentives to move away from traditional systems and come in line with modern agriculture systems. He explained that all these initiatives would enable farmers to have confidence and bring about a change in their economic lives through five basic principles:
Addressing an event in Pendlimarri mandal of Kamalapuram constituency in YSR Kadapa district, the Chief Minister released the second installment of funds under the PM Kisan–Annadata Sukhibhav program. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Coimbatore, and viewed along with farmers through an LED screen. In this phase, the government deposited ₹3,315 crore in the bank accounts of 46,85,838 farmers, each getting ₹7,000.
Giving further details, the Chief Minister said that already ₹ 14,000 has been transferred in two installments and in the third installment, another ₹ 6,000 will be given, providing a total annual support of ₹ 20,000 per farmer. He said despite financial burdens imposed by the previous regime, the government is implementing the promise made to farmers.
The Chief Minister called upon all farmers to adopt technology in their cultivation. He said both the central and state governments were jointly helping the farmers with new policies and programs. He also said Andhra Pradesh is promoting natural farming in a big way and wants to extend the area coverage. This will enable the growing of crops without pesticide residues and their export to international markets.
He said that besides this, major water projects and tanks throughout the State are now holding adequate water. While the government was spending ₹10,000 crore annually for free electricity for agriculture, the improved availability of water would save up to ₹5,000 crore, which would be utilised for farming development.
The Chief Minister said technology limited the loss of life and property in the recent cyclones. More use of green energy and persuading farmers to use less chemical fertilizers and pesticides are on the government's agenda. He advised farmers to grow alternative crops along with rice.
He said that soil testing had previously been stopped, but technology would now be used to conduct soil tests through satellite-based systems. Drones with cameras would denote those plants where pests had attacked so that pesticides could be sprayed just there.
It is also developing technology for measuring moisture levels in soil and the atmosphere to distribute water effectively. It will link the crop cultivation systems with marketing networks. The Chief Minister said he will request Prime Minister Modi to interlink the employment guarantee scheme with agriculture.
He said he was confident that Rayalaseema would develop into a hub of horticulture. Pulp industries, better logistics, and marketing systems would support this endeavor. The Chief Minister later visited agricultural fields, interacted directly with farmers, and checked horticultural crop cultivation. He is satisfied with the progress through natural farming methods, spoke with the women labourers working in the fields. A Rachchabanda programme was also conducted under a tree where farmers shared their concerns. Minister Atchannaidu, local leaders, and several officials and representatives attended the programme.
