In order to provide relief to farmers amid ongoing lockdown, the Central government as well as state governments have been doing a lot with different schemes and programmes. Recently the state government of Andhra Pradesh has announced that it will deposit Rs 5,500 financial assistance to buy seeds on 15th May in farmers’ account under YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan Scheme for the current financial year.
H Arun Kumar, Special commissioner of agriculture in a statement said that all the eligible farmers will receive the money next month. It would be Rs 7,500 for the SC/ST/ BC & minority landless tenant farmers.
He told that farmers cultivating endowments departments’ lands would also receive Rs 7, 500. He further added that “the district administrations will display the names of all eligible farmers in the gram panchayat offices. Hence those whose names are not on the list should contact mandal extension officer concerned. This process would continue till 10th May. And from 15th May, the government would supply seeds through the Rythu Bharosa Centres on subsidy”.
On the other hand, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday asked the marketing officials to set up cold storages & godowns in rural areas for the convenience of the farmers. He told the officials to work on strengthening the cold storage chain as well as processing networks in agriculture sector & ensure that cultivators do not run into losses.
Reddy also instructed the officials to support growers by paying minimum support prices (MSP) to their crops & continue direct purchase system via Rythu Bharosa centres.
The agriculture assistants were asked to check the crop prices regularly and alert the marketing officials, in case the cultivators are not offered with the MSP. The existing decentralised Rythu Bazars and Janata Bazars will continue to offer all essential goods to the people.
Chief Minister said facilities like refrigerators to store goods, truck for transportation of fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs should be provided at Janata Bazars.
