The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Agriculture has recommended construction of harvesting/drying yards (platforms) in all villages in 32 districts to prevent farmers occupying roads to dry their produce causing obstruction to the free movement of vehicular traffic and also leading to accidents sometimes.
Headed by Minister for Agriculture S. Niranjan Reddy the sub-committee also comprises Ministers T. Harish Rao (Finance), G. Jagadish Reddy (Energy) and E. Dayakar Rao (Panchayat Raj and Rural Development). The meeting held here on Thursday was also attended by Secretary (Agriculture) B. Janardhan Reddy.
The sub-committee has observed that farmers were occupying roads to harvest and dry their crops and to overcome the problem of lack of ‘kallalu’ (harvesting yards/drying platforms) felt that there is a need to construct the platforms in all villages and hamlets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The committee has come to an understanding that platforms with 45 square meters area on the raised bed of 45 cm height would serve the purpose and construction of each of such platforms was estimated to cost about ₹46,000. Recommendation of the sub-committee would be taken to Chief Minister’s notice for approval.
The sub-committee has also estimated that cultivation of paddy would be taken up in about 45 lakh acres during 2020-21 in Vaanakalam and Yasangi crop seasons together.
The ministers panel has also decided to encourage asset creation, construction of permanent structures under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to improve agriculture production, their storage and making of organic fertilizer/manure. About one lakh such platforms are planned to be constructed in all villages and hamlets and the estimated cost is pegged at Rs. 460 crore.