Reduce fertilizer use to preserve soil health, says Naidu
:
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked the officials to make efforts to reduce the use of fertilizers in the State.
At a review meeting on preparedness for the kharif season on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu said efforts should be made to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides to preserve soil health. Ensure there is no fertilizer shortage anywhere. Updated data on fertilizer and pesticide usage should be maintained. ''Last year, 39 lakh metric tons of fertilizer was used in the crop season; this year, it should be reduced to 35 lakh metric tons. Cultivation of pulses and millets must increase. Banks must issue loans to farmers within 24 hours of their request this season,' he said.
To boost farmers' income, Mr. Naidu suggested implementing intercropping with vegetables or fruit plants along field bunds. Additionally, integrating aquaculture and horticulture between or around paddy crops was recommended. ''Create awareness about widening the bunds and, if necessary, constructing them using NREGA funds,'' he said.
Three-crop policy
Emphasising that farmland should remain green throughout the year, Mr. Naidu directed officials to adopt a three-crop policy. He suggested cultivation of summer crops next year on five lakh acres across the north coastal Andhra, Godavari, and Krishna delta regions. In districts like Anantapur, farming occurs for only four months a year, leaving land fallow for the remaining eight months, leading to soil nutrient depletion. The farmland needs to be utilised these eight months for cultivating additional crops. Encourage farmers in 141 mandals where water resources are available for summer farming —19 of them with reservoirs, 57 with tanks, and 65 dependent on groundwater, he said.
He also advised promoting fine varieties of paddy that are in high demand.
New WhatsApp services
Officials informed the Chief Minister that HD Burley tobacco procurement has begun at the Parchur AMC, and farmers have expressed satisfaction. Alternative crop cultivation is being encouraged in place of HD Burley. They informed him that three new agriculture-related services have been launched on the WhatsApp Governance – Mana Mitra platform: crop insurance, agricultural mechanisation, and MARKFED services. Farmers can now access these through WhatsApp.
Responding to it, Mr. Naidu directed online and offline awareness creation among farmers regarding the best agricultural practices. He also enquired about the procurement of cocoa and mango.
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