Agriculture

140 farmers take part in buyers & sellers meet Wanaparthy: Farmers from five districts of the erstwhile Mahbubnagar region participated in the buyers & sellers meet on the mango crop held at the Collectorate and displayed their mango produce on Friday. A total of 140 farmers took part in the event organised by the Horticulture department, in coordination with the Andhra Pradesh Export Development Authority, NHB, and Prasad Seeds here on Friday. District Collector Adarsh Surabhi who attended the meet as chief guest, emphasised that this buyers & sellers meet is a great opportunity for farmers to market their produce. The main objective of the meeting was to provide better market opportunities to farmers and promote quality produce. Surabhi appreciated the Horticulture department for organising such a valuable programme. He noted that distributing mango covers to all orchard farmers in the district is commendable and instructed officials to ensure that any remaining farmers receive them promptly. Officials mentioned that through this meeting farmers from five districts of the erstwhile Mahbubnagar region showcased various mango varieties to buyers. A total of 12 buyers (exporters) participated. Around 40 farmers entered into agreements for export of 250 tonnes of mangoes. The DC inspected the stalls set up by mango farmers showcasing different varieties. He interacted with farmers, learned about the unique features of various varieties and provided awareness on marketing opportunities. The Collector released brochures related to the meet.

Wanaparthy: Following the unseasonal rain that lashed the district on Saturday, several paddy procurement centres in Wanaparthy mandal were affected. Additional collector (revenue) Vinod Kumar visited the centres in Kadukuntla and Peddagudem on Sunday and conducted a field inspection. He examined wet paddy heaps of paddy. Kumar directed officials to take protective measures so that farmers don’t suffer any losses because of rain. He instructed that sufficient tarpaulin covers should be made available at the centres to prevent further damage to paddy. Since more rain is forecast, he ordered officials to speed up the procurement and ensure that farmers are protected from losses due to wet paddy. The AC interacted with farmers and reassured them. He said farmers need not lose heart due to unseasonal rain; the government stands by farmers; every grain brought to the centres would be purchased. Local revenue officials, Civil Supplies department officials, IKP and society representatives and local farmers were present.

District Agriculture Officer Anjaneyulu conducted surprise inspections of seed and  fertilizer shops in Pebbair, Wanaparthy district, to curb the sale of spurious agricultural inputs. The department has mandated transparent pricing and proper billing, warning that strict action will be taken against violators to protect farmers. WANAPARTHY: District agriculture officer Anjaneyulu conducted a surprise inspection of seed and  fertiliser shops in Pebbair municipality on Thursday. Accompanied by Pebbair mandal agriculture officer Sheikh Munna, he inspected several establishments, including Mana Godam Centre, Raviraj  Fertilizers, Agros Seva Kendra, and Mahesh Traders. “Strict action would be taken against anyone found selling fake seeds,” the DAO warned and directed shop-owners to issue proper bills for every sale. “Displaying stock boards with prices in shops is mandatory. Any violation of the regulations would result in strict action,” he said.

 Tension escalated at Rajapet village in Wanaparthy district on Tuesday as frustrated paddy farmers staged a protest and set fire to their own paddy sacks. Tension prevailed at Rajapet village in Wanaparthy district after paddy farmers staged a protest and burnt their paddy sacks over the inordinate delay in procurement of their stocks on Tuesday. The farmers charged that it has been nearly 45 days and officials were procuring the stocks, citing different reasons. Irked over the officials apathy, the farmers dumped the paddy sacks on the road and burnt them, triggering tension in the village.