Raise farm productivity, says Abdul Kalam

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has underscored the need for significantly enhancing agricultural productivity to ensure food security for the ever-growing population of the country.

Dr. Kalam wanted top priority accorded to organic fertilizers to ensure that the increase in productivity was sustained in the longer term. He, accompanied by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, formally launched the ‘primary sector mission’ aimed at ensuring the future of farmers and people dependent on agriculture and allied sectors, at Garudapuram village on the outskirts of Kalyandurgam mandal headquarters in Anantapur district.

Dr. Kalam, who recalled his interaction with farmers in Kerala and Bihar, exhorted the State government to establish a water grid from Srikakulam to Anantapur, according due priority to Anantapur as it was one of the most backward districts in the country.

Mr. Naidu positively responded to the suggestion. The water grid project was estimated to cost around Rs. 2,000 crore and the government was keen on ensuring its timely completion, he said. The government was committed to making agriculture a profitable profession and would implement well rounded measures for its accelerated development.

“The State government is committed to completing modernisation of the Tunga Bhadra High Level Canal. I will be meeting the Karnataka Chief Minister in the coming month to discuss about the project and take up other issues,” Mr. Naidu said.

These steps were part of the efforts on drought-proofing this perennially drought-hit district.

Dr. Kalam also laid the foundation stone for an agriculture research station set to come up near Nambulapula Kunta village in the district besides an oil seed research facility proposed at Bukkarayasamudram, on the outskirts of Anantapur. Dr. Kalam came along with Mr. Naidu from Hyderabad by a special plane to Puttaparthy and proceeded to Garudapuram by helicopter.

Anantapur Member of Parliament J.C. Diwakar Reddy expressed concern that aged farmers in the district who had more than 10 acres in their name were excluded from the ambit of the old-age pension scheme.

Mr. Naidu said the State government would make an exception for the farmers of the district.