Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, in presence of Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Minister for State Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya, on Wednesday launched the doorstep delivery of seeds and fertilisers to farmers.
The two Union ministers joined the CM through video conference from Delhi to launch the facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Reddy said that the state government introduced Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) to assist farmers in every step from the purchase of seed to sale of their produce, which acts as a one-stop destination to address all the needs of farmers across the state.
“We have set up about 10,641 RBKs near the village and ward secretariats and appointed BSC Agriculture graduates as agriculture and horticulture assistants to address the farmers’ issues. All the RBKs are equipped with required infrastructure, where farmers can book the seeds and farm needs through digital kiosks and the material will be delivered to them within 48 hours.” he said.
Farmers can order fertilizers from their villages and it will be delivered at their doorstep. The government has taken an initiative to set up a dedicated call centre (155251) to address the farmers’ issues across the State, where nearly 46,500 calls have been received so far. Besides these, the farmers will also be trained through virtual platforms in advanced and effective methods of cultivation to maximize the harvest and increase the income.
The Chief Minister said that so far 6.9 lakh tonnes of seed have been distributed to 13.64 lakh farmers across the State despite Covid pandemic. Also, 49.14 lakh farmers along with the details of the harvesting crops in 1.12 crore acres were registered on the e-crop booking app.