The State government has earmarked ₹11,200 crore to bring 40 lakh acres under micro irrigation in the next five years, Minister for Agriculture Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has said.
The government has decided to bring under micro-irrigation all land being irrigated by lift irrigation schemes and bore-wells for optimum use of water and power.
Addressing representatives of micro-irrigation and farm equipment companies at an ‘Entrepreneur summit for promotion of agriculture and horticulture industries in Andhra Pradesh’ here on Wednesday, Mr. Reddy said the Central government allocated ₹425 crore, which was 17% of the country’s Micro Irrigation Budget, to Andhra Pradesh. While the Centre and the State should spend 60% and 40% respectively, the Andhra Pradesh government allocated ₹745 crore, which was more than its share. The total outlay was ₹1,180 crore for 2017-18 for implementation of micro-irrigation, the Minister said.
Andhra Pradesh stood first in the area under drip irrigation and second in the area under micro-irrigation, the Minister said.
Saying that Andhra Pradesh would give preference to manufacturers with units in the State, the Minister said the government wanted more manufacturing units because it planned to cover 8 lakh acres a year and save transportation cost. It also wanted timely supply and installation and effective after-sale service to the farmers. The employment generation was a bonus, the Minister said. The Minister also said that a cell had been created with Commissioner of Horticulture Chiranjiv Choudhary, Commissioner of Industries Siddharth Jain, and APIIC executive chairman P. Krishnaiah to assist the entrepreneurs with identification of land for their units and according clearances.
Earlier, Mr Jain, Mr. Choudhary, and Mr. Krishnaiah explained in detail the subsidies and other facilities that would be given to those who intend to set up their units in the State.
Positive response
At the end of the meeting, the Minister said that 14 leading micro-irrigation and farm equipment companies had expressed their willingness to establish units in the State, seeking allotment of 92 acres. The Minister said that Anantapur, which was in close proximity to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, was ideally located for the manufacturing units. Nellore district with Krishnapatnam Port was ideal for those interested in exporting farm equipment, the Minister added. The projects of the companies that submit detailed project reports would be formalised with an MoU at the ensuing Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam. CII Andhra Pradesh Chairman J.S.R.K. Prasad said entrepreneurs would benefit if they become part of the growth story of Andhra Pradesh.
