Take strict action against spurious seeds suppliers: Chandrababu Naidu-OxBig News Network

Chief minster N Chandrababu Naidu speaking at AP State Cabinet meeting at Secretariat at Velagapudi near Vijayawada on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed Agriculture department officials to take strict action against the suppliers of spurious seeds, which cause losses to farmers, and to rigorously implement the traceability and certification system.

At a meeting with Ministers and secretaries at the State secretariat on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar brought to the Chief Minister’s attention the growing menace of fake seeds and the urgent need for stringent measures to control the situation. Responding strongly, Mr. Naidu ordered authorities to identify and take strict action against those selling counterfeit seeds in the market, including revoking their licence and imposing heavy penalties.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the targeted 20% growth rate in agriculture and allied sectors should be achieved through well-planned measures. The officials have to promote high-income horticultural crops extensively and encourage farmers to cultivate superior crops grown in India and abroad, he said and asked the authorities to fully regulate the PDS rice recycling process by ensuring that only high-quality grains are supplied to farmers. 

Mr. Naidu said the government is fully prepared to support the livelihoods of fishermen and sheep farmers, he said, instructing officials to formulate and implement relevant action plans accordingly. He also announced that financial assistance for fishermen would be provided in April, and directed authorities to take necessary steps to implement the ‘Rythu Bharosa’ scheme for farmers.

Ex-officio Special Chief Secretary of Agriculture Department Budithi Rajasekhar presented a report on the progress achieved in agriculture and allied sectors until January of this financial year and the action plan for the remaining two months.