AP: Sitharaman says Centre ensured uninterrupted fertiliser supply despite global disruptions
Madanapalle (Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh), Oct 2 (TNT): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the Union government had ensured uninterrupted fertiliser supplies to farmers despite global challenges and disruptions caused by wars.
Addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Global Horticulture Hub and the Indian School of Agriculture at Madanapalle, alongside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani, Sitharaman highlighted the importance of farmers’ welfare.
She recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Swadeshi and Swaraj and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, noting their emphasis on the agricultural sector.
She also acknowledged former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s contribution to strengthening the foundations of agricultural development.
Continuing this vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced several initiatives for farmers, including the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi and measures to maintain an uninterrupted supply of fertilisers, she added.
The Indian School of Agriculture, being established with the support of Reliance Industries, will focus on agriculture, horticulture, modern farming technologies, research and artificial intelligence.
The proposed Global Horticulture Hub is expected to be developed with an estimated investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. Under the project, 5,860 villages will be organised into 201 clusters, while horticulture cultivation will be expanded across an additional six lakh acres.
TNT KS
