Hyderabad: Farmers cultivating any of the nine paddy varieties identified by Telangana govt will have to register with agriculture extension officers (AEOs), with agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao directing officials to create awareness about the process through Rythu Vedikas.Reviewing the progress of schemes being implemented by departments under his charge on Thursday, Tummala also sought details about the current crop situation and directed officials to speed up implementation of farmer welfare schemes.He also reviewed the agricultural mechanisation scheme and sought details of the number of farm machines supplied to farmers on subsidy so far. Tummala said there should be no delay in distribution and asked departments to fill vacancies or redeploy staff from other departments, if required.Shortage of staff should not be cited as a reason for delays in extending services or implementing welfare schemes for farmers, he said, directing officials to fully utilise central funds available to the state.Tummala suggested that construction of Markfed godowns with a sanctioned capacity of 65,000 metric tonnes be taken up as a pilot project in major paddy-growing districts.On fake diammonium phosphate (DAP), officials informed the minister that cases had been registered against eight persons and six were arrested. Tummala directed officials not to spare anyone involved and asked them to trace the quantity sold, identify affected farmers and recover compensation from those responsible.The minister also asked officials to explore bringing departments, corporations and societies performing similar functions under one umbrella.Centre assures RKVY fundsMinister Tummala participated in a video conference chaired by Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who appreciated Telangana’s implementation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the FFS app.Tummala sought release of the second instalment of RKVY funds. The Union minister assured him that the funds would be released soon. He also sought 100% procurement of pulses grown in Telangana and special procurement support for maize and other crops.
