The AP government has decided to purchase the remaining mango, tobacco and cocoa crops from farmers. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ordered that steps be taken to this end through the Financial Stabilization Fund and Rs 550 crore be allocated for the purchase.
The CM instructed the authorities to this effect in a review meeting held on Thursday. Agriculture Minister Atchannaidu said after the review that the CM has ordered to purchase all the remaining black barley tobacco from farmers.
The CM has decided to bear the cost of Rs 350 crore for this. The Minister said that the procurement process will start from Friday itself through seven market yards in the state. He said that all necessary arrangements are being made to this end.
The Minister said that mango farmers will be paid Rs 12 per kg without any loss. Of this, processing companies will pay Rs 8. The government will bear the remaining Rs 4. He said that it has been decided to purchase about 5.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes from farmers at a cost of Rs 150 crore.
He said that if companies buy cocoa crops at Rs 450 per kg, the government will pay an additional Rs 50. He said that about a 1000 metric tonnes of cocoa will be purchased in this way. The minister said that farmers should register and the benefits provided by the government will be directly credited to their accounts.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has directed the officials to discuss with the farmers and encourage them to grow pulses and small grains as an alternative to HD Burley (Black Burley) tobacco. The Minister said that it is the responsibility of the agriculture department to divert farmers towards alternative crops when prices are not available.
He said that companies are not showing interest in buying two or three grades of HD Burley tobacco. He said that discussions be held with the companies to resolve this issue and the White Burley tobacco variety should be cultivated only under contract and purchased by companies.
CM Chandrababu made it clear that no agricultural product should fall short of international standards. He said that the government should be able to support it if the price does not come in due to unforeseen circumstances. He revealed that the farmers should be assured that the government is supporting agriculture.
