CM directs officials to ensure supply of seeds

Hyderabad, May 25 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today directed Agriculture Department officials to ensure supply of required seeds to Mandal headquarters during the coming Kharif season.

According to an official release, reviewing the agricultural activities for 2007-08 with the minister concerned and senior officials here, Dr Reddy said 50 per cent subsidy would be provided on seed cost in the case of certified seed as against 33 per cent given last year.

The officials apprised Dr Reddy about the shortage of fertilizers.

They said about 34 lakh metric tonne of fertilizers was required and only 30 lakh metric tonne was readily available.

The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to take necessary steps to avail pending insurance amount for the farmers from the insurance authorities in Delhi.

He directed the finance officials to release a sum of Rs 236 crore towards payment of input subsidy to the affected farmers, the release added.

UNI