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Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced subsidised power for aqua farmers in non-aqua zones, directed El Niño awareness campaigns and unveiled measures to support tobacco growers and the aquaculture sector.
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to extend subsidised electricity to aqua farmers operating in non-aqua zones, bringing them on par with farmers in designated aqua zones.
Reviewing agriculture, water resources, aquaculture and the likely impact of El Niño at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Minister instructed officials to provide electricity to aqua farmers in non-aqua zones at the subsidised rate of Rs. 1.50 per unit with immediate effect from this month.
The decision is expected to benefit nearly 12,500 aqua farmers across the state.
With forecasts indicating below-normal rainfall until October due to El Niño conditions, Chandrababu Naidu directed officials and public representatives to launch an extensive awareness campaign on the El Niño Mitigation Action Plan beginning August 7.
He instructed officials to educate farmers on alternative cropping strategies, contingency plans and the opportunities available under the PMDS cultivation system to minimise the impact of adverse weather conditions.
The Chief Minister also asked officials to provide timely field-level advisories through the Rythu App, enabling farmers to make informed cultivation decisions.
Noting that cultivated acreage has increased despite reduced rainfall, he directed departments to align their planning with changing field conditions and integrate livestock fodder management with the VBG Ram G programme.
The Chief Minister announced that the government would implement a support price of Rs. 10 per kilogram for off-style tobacco from Wednesday.
Officials were directed to procure 94 million kilograms of off-style tobacco, a move expected to benefit around 44,000 tobacco farmers.
To oversee implementation, Chandrababu Naidu ordered the formation of a five-member committee comprising representatives from the State Government, the Tobacco Board and farmers.
Officials informed the meeting that 48.27 million kilograms of FCV tobacco had already been procured.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to introduce a financial assistance scheme offering loans of Rs. 50,000 per tobacco curing barn to support tobacco growers.
Reviewing the aquaculture sector, Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to prepare a special action plan to control shrimp feed prices.
He said the State Government was in discussions with the Centre to reduce fish meal exports by 50%, with the objective of stabilising shrimp feed prices until a final decision is taken by the Union Government.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to speed up plans to develop Rayalaseema as a horticulture hub and announced that 201 horticulture clusters would be launched shortly.
He further announced that he would personally review agriculture, allied sectors and El Niño mitigation measures every Tuesday to monitor implementation and ensure timely interventions.
