The Andhra Pradesh Government is according the highest priority to the agricultural sector and all efforts will be made to make farming remunerative, according to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

He was speaking at Lam Farm near here on Monday after the foundation stone for the Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University was laid by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.

He said the university was coming up on 500 acres in Lam Farm, which is at present an agricultural research station, and Rs 1500 crore would be spent on it over the next five years. He urged the Agriculture Minister to accord it the status of a central university and make available the requisite funds and facilities.

He said the State Government had released Rs 23,000 crore under a loan waiver scheme in the State and it had come as a great relief to the farmers.

Radha Mohan Singh said agricultural universities would have to play a great role in undertaking research and extension to the fields as technology would play a great role. Andhra Pradesh is one of the major agricultural states and due importance would be given to the State, he promised. 

Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said the Centre would help Andhra Pradesh in every possible way following the bifurcation.

Several state ministers also participated in the function.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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