AP to take to new variety of paddy

Hyderabad, Aug 22 (UNI) Farmers of the Delta region, which was prone to waterlogging due to floods, will be provided a new variety of paddy developed by the International Rice Research Institute in Philippines, Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said.

The State Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy would shortly distribute the new variety which was capable of sustaining even if it was fully submerged in water for over 15 days, he told the State Assembly.

Even as the opposition demanded his sacking from the cabinet for visiting Australia at a time when the state was devastated by floods, he said he would make a detailed statement on why he was sent to Australia by the Chief Minister, in a day or two.

Setting the record straight, Mr Raghuveera said his statement that the recent rains had been blown out of context. The rains, which have damaged crops in two lakh acres had, in-fact, benefitted crops in over one crore acres, he pointed out, objecting to the alleged attempt by the TDP to politicise the floods.

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