Direct sowing proven cost-effective: Errabelli

Says Chief Minister wants farmers to take up modern farm techniques to make farming profitable

Khammam: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao wants farmers to take up modern techniques to make farming profitable, said Panchayat Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao. The Minister led a delegation of public representatives and farmers visited paddy fields at Sadasivinipalem in Sathupalli mandal to create awareness among farmers on direct-seeded rice (DSR) through broadcasting (scattering seeds by hand) technology on Thursday.

Dayakar Rao said the direct sowing method for cultivating paddy has been proven cost-effective and gives high yield after interaction with a farmer Ch Satyanarayana. The farmer shared his experiences and explained to the delegation the benefits of direct-seeded technology.

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Addressing a gathering at local Rythu Vedika, the Minister noted that the State government was paying Rs 16, 000 crore annually towards free power supply to irrigation pump sets. Similarly, Rythu Vedikas were constructed to unite farmers and educate them about modern technologies.

The government has released orders on August 4 to offer old-age pension to those above 57 years and an amount of Rs 12, 000 was being spent on Aasara pensions. The Chief Minister decided to waive crop loans below Rs 50, 000 and the loan waiving process would begin on Aug 15, he said.

Later in the day, Dayakar Rao took the delegation to a visit to oil palm fields at various villages in Kothagudem district. An interaction with oil palm growers and farmers from Warangal was held at Allipalli village in Dammapet mandal. He said there has been an ample supply of irrigation water in the Warangal district because of Kaleshwaram and Devadula projects. Hence the government decided to promote oil palm cultivation in the erstwhile Warangal district.

India was importing cooking oil worth Rs 80, 000 crore annually and with oil palm cultivation the volume of the imports could be reduced. It was planned to establish oil palm industries in all districts of Telangana by spending around Rs 150 crore, Dayakar Rao revealed. MLAs S Venkata Veeraiah, T Rajaiah and M Nageshwar Rao and others were present.