Our objective is to see the farmer and the farm labourer smiling: YS Jagan

AMARAVATI: On the second day of the brain-storming conference, being organized by the Andhra Pradesh government under the banner of ‘Our governance-Your Suggestion’, a review was held on agriculture and its affiliated sectors here on Tuesday. Addressing the session, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy observed that the state would flourish only when the farmers are happy and doing well.

“Our objective is to see the farmer and the farm labourer smiling with contentment. I have personally witnessed the hardships of the farming community during my 3,648-km-long foot march (Praja Sankalpa Yatra). We have prepared our manifesto in such a way that we could rid the farmers of all their difficulties. Farmers will benefit if they can reduce their expenditure on crop production,” the chief minister said.

Further, YS Jagan said: “We have contemplated on how to protect our farmers during the times of natural disasters. Agriculture will be profitable only when there is good support price for their farm produce. Our government is forging ahead based on these three key aspects pertaining to agriculture. About 70 per cent farmers in the state are holding agricultural land of less than one hectare. We have been extending financial support of Rs 13,500 through Rythu Bharosa and PM Kisan schemes.

“Though we promised to give Rs 12,500, we have increased it to Rs 13,500. We will also extend the Rythu Bharosa (Financial support for farmers) for five years instead of four years,” the Andhra Pradesh chief minister said.

Principal Secretary for agriculture Poonam Malakondaiah coordinated the session.