Minister for Marketing and Irrigation T. Harish Rao has directed Marketing Department officials to study the fluctuation of agricultural-produce in the State that is leading to price rise due to dependence on supplies from the neighbouring States.
He told the officials to prepare an action plan in association with the Agriculture and Horticulture departments to reduce the dependence on the neighbouring States for agricultural produce.
Reviewing the progress of e-NAM, construction of godowns, cold storages and rythu bazaars at a meeting here on Tuesday, the Minister wanted the officials to do a detailed analysis of the fall in production of agricultural-produce during specific periods leading to their price rise.
On the short supplies of onion during particular periods every year, the Minister asked the officials to select 50 farmers each from Narayankhed and Siddipet constituencies for a visit to Venikathala village near Mominpet in Ranga Reddy district to study the best practices of onion cultivation and storage. He asked the marketing officials to introduce creative ways to overcome such problems.
On the construction of 355 godowns with a storage capacity of 18.55 lakh tonnes taken up three years ago, the Minister said 300 godowns were already completed and 21 out of the remaining 55 should be completed by August-end. Further, he wanted the officials to complete the process of tenders for another 34 godowns and take up their construction as early as possible.
Noting that the production of cotton was likely to go up heavily this year following increase in area under cultivation, he Minister directed the officials to be ready for prepare a plan for procurement. well in advance. On e-NAM, the Minister asked the officials to prepare plans for its introduction in another 16 markets this year in addition to the existing 44. Director of Marketing G. Laxmibai and others attended.
