Govt. to discourage cotton cultivation

Pulses, millets seen as alternatives

The State government has decided to discourage cotton cultivation. At present, 2.6 lakh hectares is under cotton cultivation, and the government proposes to restrict it to 6.5 lakh hectares across the State this kharif. The government is contemplating promoting cultivation of pulses, millets and oil seeds by offering a 75% subsidy.

Last year too, the State government asked the farmers not to cultivate cotton in the areas that are not suitable for the fibre crop. The government announced that the farmers can grow cotton in about 4.75 lakh hectares that is suitable for the crop. The farmers grew cotton in 6.75 lakh hectares 2015, lower by 1.25 lakh hectares from the 8 lakh ha in 2014.

TS took the lead

Last year, Telangana was first to discourage cultivation of cotton. Andhra Pradesh followed suit in view of the pink bollworm developing resistance to Bollgard II technology causing 30 % drop in yield. The government targeted to reduce the cotton area by at least by 33 % , and recommend and promote pulses and millets as alternative crops.

Apart from this, the State government has set a target of increasing the micro- irrigation extent by at least 40% this year in view of advantages. At present, micro-irrigation is practised in 10 lakh hectares. The government set this target taking a cue from Maharashtra, which has 20 lakh hectares under micro- irrigation. Also, the officials have not achieved even 35% of the target set for e-cropping. Only 2,41,158 hectares has been geo-tagged using e-crop booking.

Though the government has set a target of distributing agricultural loans worth ₹50,919 crore, the bankers have achieved only 38% of it . Besides this, ₹8,700 crore has been earmarked to provide credit for tenant farmers.

Workshop on July 14

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, at a review meeting on the agriculture sector at the Secretariat near here on Tuesday, said that government was ready to provide 100% subsidy on micro-nutrients supplied to the farmers irrespective of land they were holding. It was expected that the move will lead to an increase in an average of 8% increase in crop productivity. A workshop will be organised at Anantapur on July 14 to create awareness on dry spell mitigation and micro-irrigation. Mr. Naidu will participate in the World Food Prize Symposium in Iowa from October 18 to 20.