The Hindu Business Line : AP Govt to `persuade' farmers to go for alternative crops

WITH the threat of snapping `free power' to the farmers growing paddy in the rabi season backfiring, the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided not to go for arm-twisting methods.

It has now decided to educate and persuade farmers to go for crops that consume less water. This will help save groundwater resources, it argues. If this is no music to their ears, they can go for the paddy variety `SRI' (System of Rice Intensification).

In an open letter to farmers, he reiterated the Government stand that they should go for crops that consume only 20 lakh litres. "We assure that we will come out with minimum support price to procure the produce," he said.

"I respect your feelings. Wherever possible, we will go for crops that consume less water. If there is no other option but to take up paddy cultivation, we would better go for SRI cultivation," he said.

The Chief Minister attended a meeting with farmers at Taramatipet in Rangareddy district where the success stories of `SRI' were showcased. The meeting was organised by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU).

The Chief Minister said that the Government would take up a programme to popularise the concept and provide necessary training throughout the State. The Government would spend Rs 4 crore on the programme.

The SRI method was adopted by over 200 farmers spread in 10 districts in a pilot project launched by WWF and ANGRAU.

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