SPEECH IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Hon. Minster for Agriculture Shri Raghuveera Reddy, MPs, MLAs, Senior Officers of State Government, Farmer brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh & West Godawari.
May I congratulate the progressive government of Andhra Pradesh in leading the country in the field of Agriculture during a difficult time. Andhra Pradesh government under Hon. Rosaiah ji & Hon. Agriculture Minister Shri Raghuveera Reddy has achieved unparalleled success in both high growth in agriculture and higher farmer returns. I pay tribute to Andhra’s most Valliant Warrior for the poor, Late Shri Rajasekhar Reddy with whom I enjoyed a deep personal friendship when we were in Lok Sbha together. I am sure that Dr. Reddy’s contribution in making Andhra strong and particularly good for the farming community will go down as a golden period in Indian history. The memory of the departed leader must guide us in future also. I offer tributes to him on this occasion once again.
Andhra overcame unfavourable weather conditions to produce about 209 lakhs metric tonnes of food grains in 2009-10 contributing highly into the national food stocks. It produces the 3rd largest quantum of food grains and topped the productivity of Maize and Bengal Gram. Andhra disburses highest crop & term loans and a sum of Rs.37,574 crores was disbursed in 2009-10. The ‘Polambadi’ scheme of village specific farmer training has resulted in significant reduction in the consumption of pesticides. The State’s interest in improving seed replacement rate, encouraging seed production by farmers and integrated nutrient management and mechanisation is noteworthy. The huge participation of our farmer brothers in Raithu Sadassus like this is an indication of the trust the farmers have with the State Government’s leadership. I must say that the agriculture department and the State’s administration as a whole is as a model for other States to emulate.
The Central Government continues to support the State through numerous other schemes like RKVY, Macro Management of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro Irrigation, Extension Reforms, National Bamboo Mission etc. The total allocations of AP under these Schemes are to the extent of Rs.941.19 crores for this year and once the State qualifies again for RKVY, the assistance is likely to increase further substantially. I am sure this will happen in the near future.
Coming to the specific issues related to oil palm cultivation firstly let me congratulate the farmers for helping to address the net shortage India is facing in edible Oil.
As you are aware, we import 8-9 million tonnes of palm Oil at a cost of about 2700 crores annually. Andhra Pradesh came forward to help the country in this difficulty and planted oil palm in West Godawari district initially to an extent of 132 hectares in mid eighties, taking support from Department of Biotechnology and Technology Mission on Oil seeds (TMOP). Now Andhra has oil palm cultivation to the extent of 4,00,000 hectares spread in 11 districts, covering an area of 1,02,132 hectares against an identified potential of 4,20,000 hectares.
Further AP also processes the largest quantity of oil palm in India. With an annual production of 3.5 lakh tonnes, A.P contributes Rs.220 crores to the country. State has also formulated an Oil Palm Act for helping farmers by regulating trade by administered prices. Now I understand that A.P wants to expand area under Oil palm to another 30,000 hectares of which government of India will support, initially 16,000 hectares which will be taken up immediately. To overcome the difficulties in harvesting the tall Palm, the state is organising supply of harvesters on pilot basis through adequate subsidization. State Government is also investing in micro irrigation for the crop. State Government wants Government of India to include Oil Palm under its Micro irrigation programmes.
The Micro Irrigation component of ISOPOM, NFSM and TMC will be retained and 50% central share of system cost for small farmers and marginal farmers and 40% of cost for general farmers is allowable as subsidy. This is allowed under current plan and Minor Irrigation Schemes for Oil Palm can be supported under Minor Irrigation for ISOPOM. The proposals may be sent under ISOPOM implemented by DAC. I understand that the government could not pay costs to the farmers to the extent they would have liked during the last two years.
Therefore, the State had to avail Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) compensatory rates to protect the farmers under the MIS cost of supporting the farmers is borne 50:50 between Central and State Governments. The Central procuring agency shall be NAFED. For March and April 2009, Government of India has approved Market intervention Prices of Rs.5000/- per Metric Tonne. This has helped the State to extend a support of Rs.4.6 crores for the FFB procured in March -April, 2009. The State’s proposal to continue the same is under active consideration.
The State has also proposed Minimum Support Price to Oil Palm. The State can avail the Market Intervention Scheme until the issue of MSP is decided. As you are aware MSP crops require appropriate recommendations from CACP and may take a little time for Government to decide. The import terms of edible Oils can be looked into, in the meantime Government has an open mind in the matter.
Government of India is open to support Govt. of AP in area increase of Oil Palm and mechanization under RKVY or mechanization schemes. A mission for Oil Palm already exists in the Ministry and we must take up as many activities under RKVY and other projects a mission would add, without waiting for new organization. We need to focus on productivity post procurement and processing value addition at this stage.
Apart from policy interventions the ICAR has also invested into Oil Palm research with its dedicated centre in Andhra Pradesh itself. Recently it has been elevated as a directorate. It focuses on hybrid development, production management system, post harvest management etc. Govt. of India spends about Rs.15 crores in the research and development effect in Oil palm.
In the other welfare projects Andhra has shown the ways too. The “Indiramma Scheme” in housing helps 80 lakh poor families while pension schemes for the needy help 75 lakh persons. Self-help groups are being supported by Rs.365 crores and State provides two rupees a kilo rice and pulses at Rs.30/- and vegetable oil at Rs.35/- to poor consumers through the Public Distribution system. The ‘Rajiv Aroggyashri’ Scheme extends unique health benefits to the poor. The emergency health transport under ‘108’ and fixed day health service under ‘104’ helps the most needy of the Society. Scholarship support, water conservation ‘Udyogashri’ are yet another set of exemplary schemes in welfare. Andhra has emerged as a unique example of rapid economic development with a human touch, in the last few years by investing in the people and farmers. A.P government shows the way forward for the country in achieving 10% overall growth and 4% in Agriculture sector. Government of India will be an active partner in Andhra’s efforts and will leave no stone unturned in helping the state’s requirements in the coming months.
Personally the State can consider me as an Ambassador for Andhra in Delhi and any of you can please feel free to meet me any time for my humble assistance. I wish the people and Government of Andhra all the best in its task.
JAI HIND
SPEECH IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Hon. Minster for Agriculture Shri Raghuveera Reddy, MPs, MLAs, Senior Officers of State Government, Farmer brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh & West Godawari.
May I congratulate the progressive government of Andhra Pradesh in leading the country in the field of Agriculture during a difficult time. Andhra Pradesh government under Hon. Rosaiah ji & Hon. Agriculture Minister Shri Raghuveera Reddy has achieved unparalleled success in both high growth in agriculture and higher farmer returns. I pay tribute to Andhra’s most Valliant Warrior for the poor, Late Shri Rajasekhar Reddy with whom I enjoyed a deep personal friendship when we were in Lok Sbha together. I am sure that Dr. Reddy’s contribution in making Andhra strong and particularly good for the farming community will go down as a golden period in Indian history. The memory of the departed leader must guide us in future also. I offer tributes to him on this occasion once again.
Andhra overcame unfavourable weather conditions to produce about 209 lakhs metric tonnes of food grains in 2009-10 contributing highly into the national food stocks. It produces the 3rd largest quantum of food grains and topped the productivity of Maize and Bengal Gram. Andhra disburses highest crop & term loans and a sum of Rs.37,574 crores was disbursed in 2009-10. The ‘Polambadi’ scheme of village specific farmer training has resulted in significant reduction in the consumption of pesticides. The State’s interest in improving seed replacement rate, encouraging seed production by farmers and integrated nutrient management and mechanisation is noteworthy. The huge participation of our farmer brothers in Raithu Sadassus like this is an indication of the trust the farmers have with the State Government’s leadership. I must say that the agriculture department and the State’s administration as a whole is as a model for other States to emulate.
The Central Government continues to support the State through numerous other schemes like RKVY, Macro Management of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro Irrigation, Extension Reforms, National Bamboo Mission etc. The total allocations of AP under these Schemes are to the extent of Rs.941.19 crores for this year and once the State qualifies again for RKVY, the assistance is likely to increase further substantially. I am sure this will happen in the near future.
Coming to the specific issues related to oil palm cultivation firstly let me congratulate the farmers for helping to address the net shortage India is facing in edible Oil.
As you are aware, we import 8-9 million tonnes of palm Oil at a cost of about 2700 crores annually. Andhra Pradesh came forward to help the country in this difficulty and planted oil palm in West Godawari district initially to an extent of 132 hectares in mid eighties, taking support from Department of Biotechnology and Technology Mission on Oil seeds (TMOP). Now Andhra has oil palm cultivation to the extent of 4,00,000 hectares spread in 11 districts, covering an area of 1,02,132 hectares against an identified potential of 4,20,000 hectares.
Further AP also processes the largest quantity of oil palm in India. With an annual production of 3.5 lakh tonnes, A.P contributes Rs.220 crores to the country. State has also formulated an Oil Palm Act for helping farmers by regulating trade by administered prices. Now I understand that A.P wants to expand area under Oil palm to another 30,000 hectares of which government of India will support, initially 16,000 hectares which will be taken up immediately. To overcome the difficulties in harvesting the tall Palm, the state is organising supply of harvesters on pilot basis through adequate subsidization. State Government is also investing in micro irrigation for the crop. State Government wants Government of India to include Oil Palm under its Micro irrigation programmes.
The Micro Irrigation component of ISOPOM, NFSM and TMC will be retained and 50% central share of system cost for small farmers and marginal farmers and 40% of cost for general farmers is allowable as subsidy. This is allowed under current plan and Minor Irrigation Schemes for Oil Palm can be supported under Minor Irrigation for ISOPOM. The proposals may be sent under ISOPOM implemented by DAC. I understand that the government could not pay costs to the farmers to the extent they would have liked during the last two years.
Therefore, the State had to avail Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) compensatory rates to protect the farmers under the MIS cost of supporting the farmers is borne 50:50 between Central and State Governments. The Central procuring agency shall be NAFED. For March and April 2009, Government of India has approved Market intervention Prices of Rs.5000/- per Metric Tonne. This has helped the State to extend a support of Rs.4.6 crores for the FFB procured in March -April, 2009. The State’s proposal to continue the same is under active consideration.
The State has also proposed Minimum Support Price to Oil Palm. The State can avail the Market Intervention Scheme until the issue of MSP is decided. As you are aware MSP crops require appropriate recommendations from CACP and may take a little time for Government to decide. The import terms of edible Oils can be looked into, in the meantime Government has an open mind in the matter.
Government of India is open to support Govt. of AP in area increase of Oil Palm and mechanization under RKVY or mechanization schemes. A mission for Oil Palm already exists in the Ministry and we must take up as many activities under RKVY and other projects a mission would add, without waiting for new organization. We need to focus on productivity post procurement and processing value addition at this stage.
Apart from policy interventions the ICAR has also invested into Oil Palm research with its dedicated centre in Andhra Pradesh itself. Recently it has been elevated as a directorate. It focuses on hybrid development, production management system, post harvest management etc. Govt. of India spends about Rs.15 crores in the research and development effect in Oil palm.
In the other welfare projects Andhra has shown the ways too. The “Indiramma Scheme” in housing helps 80 lakh poor families while pension schemes for the needy help 75 lakh persons. Self-help groups are being supported by Rs.365 crores and State provides two rupees a kilo rice and pulses at Rs.30/- and vegetable oil at Rs.35/- to poor consumers through the Public Distribution system. The ‘Rajiv Aroggyashri’ Scheme extends unique health benefits to the poor. The emergency health transport under ‘108’ and fixed day health service under ‘104’ helps the most needy of the Society. Scholarship support, water conservation ‘Udyogashri’ are yet another set of exemplary schemes in welfare. Andhra has emerged as a unique example of rapid economic development with a human touch, in the last few years by investing in the people and farmers. A.P government shows the way forward for the country in achieving 10% overall growth and 4% in Agriculture sector. Government of India will be an active partner in Andhra’s efforts and will leave no stone unturned in helping the state’s requirements in the coming months.
Personally the State can consider me as an Ambassador for Andhra in Delhi and any of you can please feel free to meet me any time for my humble assistance. I wish the people and Government of Andhra all the best in its task.
JAI HIND
