AP CM asks officials to finalise State-specific issues

Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today reviewed the agriculture plan and strategy to be presented before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he visits the State on July 31 to study the state specific plan to boost the agricultural productivity.

The Central Government had identified Adhra Pradesh as one of the potential States to increase agriculture and allied sector productivity with Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar.

Dr Reddy said the Prime Minister will discuss State-specific agricultural strategy for additional Central assistance to attain four per cent agricultural growth from the present 2.46 per cent, as the national average was only 1.78 per cent.

The Chief Minister said Dr Singh was worried about the food security and farm productivity over the years and hence identified Andhra Pradesh, as the most potential State to boost the agricultural production by filling the much-needed gaps.

He said additional assistance would be sought from the Centre for specific programmes like modernisation and drainage under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) for crop intensification, appointment of more agricultural extension officers and adarsh farmers, mechanisation, research, quality testing and market reforms.

During the meeting the agricultural department gave a detailed presentation on varios issues confronting the sector, including horticulture and also the strategies and specific issues to be brought before the Prime Minister.

Dr Reddy advised the concerned Department to finalise the presentation of State-specific issues with a result-oriented approach and plan to convince Dr Singh.

He said for the first time in its history, the State had given priority to agriculture and irrigation and would go ahead with its massive irrigation plans.

UNI