Despite uproar for seeds, Anantapur dist. sees few sowings

84% of projected demand met, says Collector

July 09, 2019 01:26 am | Updated 01:31 am IST - ANANTAPUR

Distict Collector S. Satyanarayana and Agriculture Joint Director Habib Basha addressing the media in Anantapur on Monday.

Distict Collector S. Satyanarayana and Agriculture Joint Director Habib Basha addressing the media in Anantapur on Monday.

There has been a hue and cry over non-distribution of subsidised groundnut seeds on time in Anantapur district for the past 15 days, but ironically out of the 5.5 lakh hectares targeted for sowing, only 17,000 hectares has been sown so far.

The situation is perplexing for the Agriculture Department as it has distributed 2,24,740 quintals to 1.96 lakh farmers since June 15.

District Collector S. Satyanarayana told reporters here on Monday that 84% of the proposed distribution/sale of subsidised groundnut seeds had been done and 2,58,000 quintals had been positioned out of 3 lakh. The total sale was expected to be completed by July 15 or 16, he added. Preparations for alternative crops were also being made. Distribution of red gram seeds had begun and focus was on promoting castor seeds and millets, the Collector said.

Contingency plan

Joint Director of Agriculture Habib Basha said out of the 7.10 lakh hectares of kharif sowing, 5.5 lakh hectares was expected to be groundnut and the rest jowar, castor, red gram and green gram.

Due to lack of rains only 17,000 hectares had been sown in the entire district, including 10,000 hectares that had good water source and not dependent on monsoon rains, he said.

The alternative crops could be sown from August 1 and a contingency plan would be kept ready by July end, Mr. Basha added.

The AP Seeds also had kept seeds ready for supply in case the contingency was to be implemented. The State government was paying the entire premium amount for crop insurance in a relief to farmers, he said.The Collector said that the likely deficiency of rain was (-) 37% for the entire monsoon season this year from June 1, but out of that (-) 46 % was for June and (-) 15% in July so far.

19 persons booked

There were incidents of diversion of subsidised groundnut seeds and with the help of the Regional Vigilance Officer, the administration was able to confiscate 586 quintals.

The seized seeds were later given away to the farmers waiting for them.

Cases had been registered against 19 persons under 6A of the Seeds Control Act, he said.

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