Lok Sabha member Botcha Jhansi Lakshmi has said that economic progress is possible if equal importance is given to production, productivity and marketing of farm produce.
Participating in the presentation of Ugadi puraskars to best farmers, bankers and field staff at the Collector's auditorium here on Wednesday, Ms. Jhansi said the contribution of State's farmers to the country's GDP was 3 per cent and it was made possible due to the priority given to agriculture. Under the comprehensive land development programme, she said 70,000 acres of additional land was brought under the plough and stressed the need to introduce new varieties that could withstand changes in weather. Collector M. Veerabrahmaiah said the target fixed for crop loans during the current fiscal was at Rs. 600 crore (kharif: Rs. 480 cr. and rabi: Rs.120 cr.) against Rs. 466 crore disbursed last year. Mr. veerabrahmaiah said kharif crops were raised in 2.5 lakh hectares and rabi in 75, 000 hectares last year. The government was yet to release Rs. 22 crore for the loss suffered due to rain in December last year, he said.
