AP CM Naidu stresses irrigation, market support to boost farmers’ income in Rayalaseema
Madanapalle (Annamayya district), Oct 2 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced plans to complete 36 priority irrigation projects at a cost of Rs 35,000 crore over the next three years, stressing the need for assured irrigation, stable crop prices and effective marketing systems to improve farmers’ incomes in Rayalaseema.
Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stones for the Global Horticulture Hub and the Indian School of Agriculture here, along with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani, Naidu said the region had significant potential to generate agricultural wealth with adequate irrigation and marketing facilities.
The government was working to complete major irrigation projects, including Handri-Neeva and Galeru-Nagari. The Handri-Neeva canal had been completed at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore, taking water up to Kuppam, he said.
Naidu said the government would focus on stabilising crop production and prices while promoting horticultural crops such as apples, strawberries, bananas, avocados, kiwis and dates, depending on regional suitability.
Food processing, agri-tech, logistics and agricultural infrastructure would be developed to create an integrated ecosystem for farmers. A comprehensive seed-to-shipment approach would help ensure sustainable and stable incomes, he said.
Referring to climate change and El Niño-related challenges, the Chief Minister said nearly 1,600 TMC of Godavari water had flowed into the sea this year. Through the Pattiseema project, around 500 TMC of water had been diverted to the Krishna Delta over the past decade, he added.
River interlinking had helped conserve water in the Krishna Delta and divert it to Rayalaseema, Naidu said, adding that the Polavaram project would be completed next year and dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stressing the need for an integrated water management network, he said he had urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to consider linking the Godavari and Cauvery rivers. The proposed project could help address drought conditions in Rayalaseema and water-sharing challenges among four southern states, he said.
The Indian School of Agriculture, being established at Madanapalle with the support of Reliance Industries, would focus on agriculture, horticulture, modern farming technologies, research and artificial intelligence. The institution would develop practical solutions to address farmers’ needs, he added.
Naidu thanked Sitharaman for her support to Andhra Pradesh and major national infrastructure projects.
He also appreciated Anant Ambani for supporting the establishment of the institution and recalled his contribution of electric buses to Tirumala.
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh was also present.
TNT KM
