Chandrababu Naidu Vows To Develop AP As Model State
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has promised to develop Andhra Pradesh as a model state by providing water to all for drinking, growing crops and meeting industrial needs.
The CM addressed farmers as part of the ‘Ruthanna-Meekosam’ program at Nallajerla in East Godavari district on Wednesday.
He made an impassioned appeal to farmers to change their crop cultivation practices by using heavy doses of fertilizers and pesticides and keeping in mind the upcoming harsh climatic conditions. This situation will harm them and society in the long run. There will be no demand for such products in the future.
Naidu urged farmers to instead seek support and guidance from the government to grow crops suitable to the nature of the soil and climatic conditions. “Apply the latest technology and also identify global market requirements to ensure they can get a better price for your products,” he encouraged them.
The Prime Minister appealed to them to avoid mass cultivation practices and excessive use of cultivation of crops like paddy as they would not fetch a good price. He gave examples of how the Rayalaseema region has become a hub for horticultural crops and also how Araku Coffee from Visakha agency has attracted global attention.
“I am hiring agricultural consultants so that I can guide you in advance on farming practices, nature of crops and use of new technology. We are preparing a farmer-wise, Rythu Seva Kendra-wise, district-wise and state-level action plan. A compressive action plan will be formulated to help farmers get all the necessary assistance to grow crops and get a good price for the produce they produce.”
Urging farmers to act as practicing scientists, he called on universities dealing with agriculture, horticulture and related subjects to ensure that scientists reach farmland, interact with farmers and conduct reality-based research. This, he said, will help them find better solutions.
Naidu advised these organizations to abandon traditional practices of conducting research without paying attention to ground reality.
The Prime Minister wanted farmers to be aware of the changing food habits among the people and grow crops accordingly. “I don’t eat rice either,” he said, explaining how people are exposed to various diseases after consuming chemical-containing foods. He stated that the crops were grown using high doses of fertilizers and pesticides.
Naidu cited an example from Punjab where two trainloads of people travel to Delhi every day for cancer treatment and other diseases. He said AP farmers should opt for natural farming and advised them to avoid any gamble related to agriculture.
The CM emphasized the need for interconnection of Godavari-Krishna-Penna rivers so that farmers can be given adequate amount of water to grow crops. He expressed concern that around 6,000 tmc-ft to 7,000 tmc-ft of water from Godavari and 1,500 tmc-ft of water from Krishna flows into the sea annually.
He also emphasized on increasing groundwater levels in East Godavari, Eluru and Prakasam districts as the levels are very deep. “If groundwater levels can be raised by filling tanks and other water bodies, this could help combat drought.”
The Prime Minister promised to ensure justice to farmers by helping them get minimum support price (MSP) for their produce. He announced that there would be no upward revision in the electricity tariff and that the state would encourage solar energy.
Naidu promised to provide Aan I assistant who will advise people on what they should eat. The government will also increase the number of services managed by WhatsApp.
He said there are 8,451 Rythu Seva Kendras and 49 lakh farmers in AP. Probably by 2047 AP will become India’s number one economy.
He explained how the alliance has fulfilled its election promises by implementing various social welfare schemes in the last 18 months, despite the current government having empty coffers and inheriting huge debts during the transition of power after the elections.
