Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Mega project to boost drip irrigation

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Feb. 11. As part of efforts to increase productivity of agricultural products and promote alternative cropping pattern, the State Government is contemplating taking up drip and sprinkler irrigation in about 2.5 lakh hectares from next year.

The project, estimated to cost around Rs. 1,200 crores, would be launched in all stress mandals in the State and the Government has already tied up with the NABARD for financial assistance. As part of the project, the Government would give Rs. 600-crore subsidy besides making arrangements to enable willing farmers to get loans from financial institutions.

Disclosing this during a marathon videoconference to review district performance indicators with Collectors on Tuesday, the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, said the Government was planning to sign contracts with manufacturers of equipment wherein manufacturers would take up maintenance of the equipment to ensure productivity guarantee. District Collectors had been asked to work out crops suited for local conditions and their sustainability and give a detailed report to the Government. "The administration should make efforts to make the project a cost-effective one and finalise all the linkages required for it. The district Collectors will forthwith be given specific targets for promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation in their respective districts,'' the Chief Minister said.

In this context, Mr. Naidu stressed the need for efforts to make value addition to the project by taking into consideration the promotion of food processing units along with the project. "While the food processing component accounts to as much as 40 per cent in developed countries, the industry contributes a meagre 3 to 4 per cent in India,'' he said.

Earlier, reviewing the performance indicators of agriculture and allied sectors under the primary group, the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction that several Collectors failed to send proper inputs about the development in their respective districts. Quoting a survey conducted by an independent agency, he said that while 31 per cent population was not satisfied with water-related issues, 63 per cent complained about lack of work and unemployment. About 16 per cent were sore over the frequent power cuts and 62 per cent complained about low income and several dependents problems while there were several complaints about the ineffective functioning of the agricultural extension officers. This apart, the allegations on the official corruption reaching alarming proportions were on the higher side and 38 per cent demanded more work to agricultural labour in view of the drought.

In view of this, Mr. Naidu wanted officials to prepare district-specific action plans. When the Minister for Agriculture, Vadde Shobanadreeswara Rao, intervened and said efforts were under way to educate people on the issues pertaining to agriculture and related fields, the Chief Minister said: "Though educating people is important, there should also be steps to pin down errant officials.''

Mr Naidu also announced that the Government would forthwith analyse the functioning of officials at different levels and give awards including financial incentives to those who excel in their performance. Towards this end, a special cell would be set up in the Chief Minister's Office wherein the functioning of the officials at various levels would be monitored online for selecting meritorious performers.

When some Collectors pointed out the resource crunch they had been facing, Mr. Naidu advised them to bridge the expenditure leakages which would in turn help them sustain their finances.

The Chief Minister also announced the constitution of a special cell to identify the potential growth areas in the districts wherein efforts would be made to provide the necessary guidance and assistance to Collectors to plan their development in thrust areas.

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