The Hindu Business Line : AP Govt announces sops for cane growers

THE Andhra Pradesh Government has announced a relief package to sugarcane growers for the year 2003-04. Accordingly, it has been decided to increase the existing purchase tax incentive of Rs 20 per tonne to Rs 60 per tonne for sugar factories.

In the case of khandasari sugar mills, the increase would be from Rs 10 to Rs 22 per tonne. The step has been taken to provide relief to the sugarcane growers and protect their interest in view of the severe drought conditions prevailing in the State.

A State Government release said that the incentive would be passed on to the cane growers.

Meanwhile, the State level task force for implementation of action plan for agriculture and allied sector 2003-04 met here on Thursday and reviewed the general scenario and preparedness for the ensuing Kharif season.

The meeting suggested the constitution of a task force on farm mechanisation and preparation of a clear Kharif Action Plan, including a close monitoring of crop behaviour. It was chaired by the Chief Secretary, Mr Mohan Kanda.

Referring to the Krishna Delta, the meeting suggested the constitution of an Expert Committee with the Principal Secretaries (Irrigation & Energy), Secretary (Agriculture), Commissioner & Director of Agriculture, representatives of ANGRAU University and Farmers Federation to suggest a suitable cropping pattern at the earliest.

On the Rabi crop, the Chief Secretary wanted adequate power supply to be ensured to save the standing crops. The Principal Secretary (Energy) was asked to take urgent action for the renovation of defunct lift irrigation schemes. It was also agreed to promote borewells in the Krishna Delta to promote conjunctive use of water.

In view of the decreasing yield trends of groundnut in Anantapur and other districts, it was suggested to identify a viable alternate cropping system, including the promotion of intercropping with redgram in the region, according to an official release.

The Government has also taken an action plan to open adequate number of purchase centres for the procurement of paddy, jowar, maize, bengalgram, redgram, edible oilseeds etc under minimum support price (MSP) during Rabi 2004, through the Civil Supplies Corporation and AP Markfed.

More Stories on : Agricultural Policy | Andhra Pradesh | Sugar

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