Minister for Agriculture Prattipati Pulla Rao has said as a first step towards making farming profitable, “Chandranna Rythu Kshetram” programme has been taken up. Under the programme, in 50,000 acres demonstration would be launched reducing input cost that goes into farming and increasing the output.
Addressing a “Global conference on agribusiness innovations and contract research” organised by SynTech in collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh here on Tuesday, he said that 6,500 multiple extension officers would be taken on contract basis. In the first spell 2,500 would be appointed by March. The programme was launched in Rabi.
By Kharif it would be expanded and each of the officers would be accountable for 10 ha, he said. The Government would provide an input subsidy of Rs.5,000 per acre.
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Mr. Pulla Rao said that the Government would strive to help farmers realise 50 per cent of investment as income as envisaged by noted agricultural scientist M. S. Swaminathan. e-Marketing would also be introduced.
The Minister said that the State stood first in poultry, oil palm and fisheries.
Setting up of agri-based industries would improve the prospects for farming. During the visit of the Chief Minister to Davos, Walmart and PepsiCo expressed keenness to procure horticulture produce like coconut and mango. He welcomed research efforts of SynTech and said they would act as incubation centres.
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SynTech president and CEO Khosro Khodayari said contract research organisations would consolidate in the next 15 years with small companies integrating and merging with few large MNCs. As of now, there was more investment in seed R&D than agrochemicals, he said. Describing SynTech as science-based R&D service provider, he said
Its strategy would be to focus on field testing, lab testing and registrations.
SynTech director, Asia-Pacific Paul French and country head Simma Netaji spoke. HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Labour Minister K. Achan Naidu participated.