NE NEWS SERVICE
AMARAVATI, APRIL 24
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has instructed the officials to establish cold storage units and godowns at village level and said that government will buy the produce directly from farmers.
The Chief Minister instructed Marketing officials to set up cold storages and godowns at the village level for the convenience of the farmers during a review meeting with Marketing officials here on Thursday.
He asked the officials to work on strengthening cold storage chain and processing networks in the agriculture sector and ensure that farmers do not run from pillar to post. He further instructed the officials to support farmers by paying minimum support prices to their crops and continue direct purchase system through Rythu Bharosa centres.
The agriculture assistants were asked to monitor the crop prices on a daily basis and alert the marketing officials, in case the farmers are not offered with MSP.
The Chief Minister further directed the officials to continue the existing decentralised Rythu Bazaars along with Janata bazaars and ensure the public get all the essential goods. Discussing the functioning of these Janata Bazaars, he told officials to provide infrastructure facilities such as refrigerators to store goods, a truck for the transportation of vegetables, milk, fruits, eggs, etc.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Minister for Agriculture K Kannababu said that farmers will get Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops and there are no interruptions to agricultural operations. As on date, we have purchased all types of crops including perishable goods like banana, papaya, tomato and directly distributed to the public at a very affordable cost.
He further stated that select channels are beaming false news and creating panic among farmers. The minister said that the government is firm on protecting agriculture and aqua products and is taking measures to provide MSP to their produce. Moreover, there will be no hurdles in transporting the farm produces and perishable goods will be purchased at the market by the State, he said.
