Latest news with #KAtchannaidu
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra begins direct procurement of Black Burley tobacco, assures every leaf will be bought
GUNTUR: The State government has launched the procurement of Black Burley tobacco through Markfed, assuring farmers that every leaf will be purchased. Minister for Agriculture, Marketing, and Cooperation K Atchannaidu inaugurated the procurement centre at the Paruchuru Agricultural Market Yard on Thursday, reinforcing the state's commitment to agricultural welfare. Leading a farmers' rally from Paruchuru junction to the market yard, the minister inspected facilities and announced that HDR and HDM grade tobacco would be procured at Rs 12,000 per quintal, while HDX grade would be bought at Rs 6,000 per quintal. This marks the first-ever direct procurement of Black Burley tobacco by the State. Atchannaidu said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is prioritizing farmer support with subsidies, timely payments, and assured crop procurement. He noted that Rs 1,650 crore in pending paddy dues had already been cleared. The state has intervened this year to stabilize prices of chilli, mango, coconut, and tobacco. Farmers were urged not to fall for private companies' misleading promises and to maintain quality standards to meet export requirements. The initiative is expected to benefit farmers with over Rs 500 crore through five procurement centres across the state. Agriculture Special Chief Secretary B. Rajasekhar said the government aims to procure 20 million kg of tobacco, with the Chief Minister reviewing progress every two days. Markfed MD Manjeer Zilani Saman stated that procurement would be conducted online, with a 20% moisture cap.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Govt to release Rs 168 cr subsidy for mango farmers
Tirupati / Chittoor: In a major move to support mango farmers in the State, Agriculture and Allied Sectors Minister K Atchannaidu announced that the government will release Rs 168 crore as subsidy. He emphasised the State's commitment to supporting mango growers in all possible ways and expressed the need to boost mango consumption further. During his one-day visit to Chittoor and Tirupati districts on Saturday, the Minister interacted with mango farmers, factory owners and processing unit operators. He assured them that the government would take all necessary measures to procure mangoes throughout the season, ensuring that farmers are not left in distress. The Minister visited the Damalacheruvu market yard in Pakala mandal and a fruit storage unit at Gollamadugu in Gudipala mandal. Addressing the farmers, he stated that they could sell their produce either in local mandals or markets, and that special counters have already been set up by the relevant departments to assist them. Highlighting the importance of the region, he said that the Damalacheruvu mango yard is the largest in the erstwhile Chittoor district. He also noted that this outreach was organised to understand the challenges of mango farmers and to offer any assistance they might need. He lauded the Chief Minister for his proactive stance in reviewing crop issues meticulously and frequently, an approach he described as unprecedented. Minister Atchannaidu revealed that Totapuri mangoes are cultivated across 5.5 lakh hectares, and they are primarily used for pulp. He appreciated the consistent efforts of MLAs from Puthalapattu, Chittoor and Chandragiri, who raised the issues of mango farmers with the Chief Minister. Responding swiftly, the Chief Minister announced an additional Rs 4 per kg for mangoes, ensuring the procurement price would not fall below Rs 12 per kg. This year, the Horticulture Department has sanctioned Rs 218 crore under the Comprehensive Horticulture Development Programme, with Rs 21.60 crore allocated to Chittoor district alone. Referring to the market influx from Karnataka, where mangoes are priced at Rs 3 per kg, the Minister said that such inflow should be controlled to protect local farmers. Tirupati District Collector Dr S Venkateswar cautioned that early harvesting before fruits ripen is causing losses and mentioned that mangoes from Krishnagiri were flooding the local market, leading to oversupply. He advised farmers to consider alternate crops as well. Chittoor MP Daggumalla Prasada Rao highlighted export issues due to the Russia-Ukraine war and increased export duties, which led to excess pulp remaining in factories last year and causing hardships for farmers. MLAs K Murali Mohan (Puthalapattu), Pulivarthi Nani (Chandragiri) and G Jagan Mohan (Chittoor) also shared their perspectives during the visit. Horticulture Secretary Rajasekhar Babu, Commissioner Srinivasulu Reddy, Joint Collectors G Vidyadhari and Shubham Bansal, and several district officials were present.
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Turmeric ryots in Duggirala to get fire relief by June-end
GUNTUR: The State government will ensure compensation is disbursed to turmeric farmers affected by the Shubham Maheshwari Cold Storage fire in Duggirala by the end of June, said Minister for Agriculture K Atchannaidu and Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar. During a review at the Agriculture Commissioner's Office in Guntur district on Thursday, the ministers met officials, insurance representatives, and cold storage management. Guntur District Collector S Nagalakshmi and Agriculture Commissioner (in-charge) Suresh Kumar were also present. Minister Atchannaidu said New India Assurance had prioritised claims and all required documents were submitted. He assured that compensation approval is expected within a week. The cold storage management has been directed to arrange Rs 7,000 per quintal for the 294 affected farmers, as agreed on July 10, 2024. Marketing officials were told to prepare compensation slips, with disbursal to begin once insurance funds are credited to the HDFC-linked account. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar said the government submitted 46 documents and held 200 meetings with the insurer to ensure justice.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
We will enact law to ensure support price for cocoa: Minister Atchannaidu
RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Minister for Agriculture K Atchannaidu has said cocoa will be purchased from farmers at Rs 500 per kg in Godavari region. 'Traders and companies have been convinced to purchase cocoa produce from the farmers at `450 per kg, and the government will pay `50. The traders and companies have been asked to purchase the entire cocoa produce from the farmers during the season,' he said. Speaking to the media in Eluru on Friday, he said, 'The State government is planning to enact a law to fix supportive price for cocoa to better safeguard the interests of farmers.' Reiterating the TDP-led NDA government's commitment to the welfare of farmers, he said it will take all necessary measures to ensure support price to ryots for their agricultural produce, and ensure that they don't suffer losses. The cocoa farmers have withdrawn their agitation following an assurance that their produce will be procured at a support price of Rs 500 per kg. 'We are committed to ensure that the cocoa grown in the Godavari region is procured by the companies at the support price,' he said. The NDA government has set up a stabilisation fund with a corpus of `140 crore, and `80 crore has already been spent to protect the farmers from the price slump. Besides resolving the issues of cocoa farmers following the intervention of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, plans are afoot to provide training to them in modern methods of cultivation. Quality inputs will also be supplied to enable the farmers reap a good crop yield, the Agriculture Minister said.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TDP to hold Mahanadu in Kadapa from May 27
Amaravati: The politburo of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which met under the leadership of national president Nara Chandrababu Naidu here on Wednesday, decided to unveil a welfare calendar for implementation of key schemes. It also decided to organise Mahanadu, the party's annual conclave, in Kadapa from May 27. Addressing the media after the meeting, TDP politburo member and Minister K Atchannaidu said party's highest decision-making body had resolved to launch a welfare calendar to ensure consistent implementation of welfare schemes throughout the year. Additionally, the TDP, in alliance with Jana Sena and BJP, will organize a three-day Tiranga rally starting May 16 to pay homage to martyrs of terrorist attacks. The politburo passed a resolution congratulating the armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the success of Operation Sindoor. In a significant move, it decided to disburse funds for three cylinders at once under the Deepam scheme, streamlining the process before cylinder bookings. The party also approved pensions for one lakh women, including single women and widows, under its welfare initiatives. Further, the TDP plans to launch the Talliki Vandanam and Annadata Sukheebhava schemes on June 12 and introduce free bus travel for women within two months. The politburo extended its congratulations to member Nandamuri Balakrishna for receiving the Padma Bhushan award. On party restructuring, it endorsed a proposal by TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh to limit party office-bearers to a maximum of three terms in the same post. As part of this reform, the TDP will replace mandal party presidents who have served more than three terms. The party also confirmed that its annual Mahanadu event will be held for three days starting May 27 in Kadapa. For the first time, the party is holding its annual conclave in the district. Preparations are already underway near Pabbapuram village in Kamalapuram, with land leveling in progress.
