Union Minister promises support to Andhra Pradesh farmers hit by cyclones
Union Minister of State Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar assured assistance for paddy, black gram and cotton crops damaged by cyclones Arnab and Murasu.
The Central government will provide the maximum possible assistance to farmers who suffered crop losses due to cyclones Arnab and Murasu, according to The Hindu.
Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar made the statement while inspecting affected agricultural fields in Kollipara mandal in Andhra Pradesh.
The Minister, who was accompanied by MLC Alapati Rajendra Prasad, noted that paddy, black gram and cotton crops sustained extensive damage. He observed that farmers had achieved yields of nearly 50 bags per acre this year using irrigation water from the Pattiseema project.
Chandra Sekhar said the government is already providing ₹20,000 under the Annadata Sukhibhava-PM Kisan scheme and will extend an additional input subsidy after assessing losses. He informed that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking Central assistance.
The Minister directed officials to complete crop-loss enumeration within 48 to 72 hours. He also urged landowners to ensure the input subsidy reaches tenant farmers and encouraged farmers to enrol in crop insurance schemes.
Scientists from the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University have been assigned seven to eight villages each to visit fields and guide farmers on crop protection and disaster management.