A long-felt need of farmers in Prakasam district to have a market yard for chilli in Ongole will soon become a reality. “The procurement centre for the prime agri commodity will become operational shortly”, said District Collector G.S.R.K.R.Vijaykumar bringing cheers to chilli growers who have all along been going to Guntur to market their produce. The government had sanctioned Rs. 60 lakhs for the purpose.
The location of ''Mirchi market yard'' here will be of great relief to farmers from Ongole, Martur, Addanki and Maddipadu in the district who encounter hardships in taking the produce all the way to the Guntur market yard incurring transport charges besides facing several hardships in disposing of their produce.
Rythu Sadassu
Taking part in the Rythu Sadassu here on Friday, the collector said he had drawn the attention of the State government to the plight of Bengal gram growers and suggested putting curbs on import of chickpea.
He said the district administration would ensure five-hour power supply to peasants, in two spells of three hours duration during day time and two hours duration during night time.
He exhorted the farmers to cut costs and improve productivity by adopting best agronomic practices.
Congress MLA from S.N.Padu B.N.Vijaykumar, Ongole Agriculture Market committee (AMC) chairman Ayinabathina Ganasyam, Parchur AMC chairman Siva Reddy and District Cooperative Marketing Society Chairman B.Venkateswar Reddy were among those present.
Officials of the departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, DRDA put up stalls for the benefit of farmers.