For the first time, the Utnoor Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in association with Telangana State Seed Development Corporation (TSSDC) distributed seed to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) farmers on subsidised rates. Seed were distributed among Kolam and other tribes at Birsaipet Kolamguda on Sunday by Khanapur MLA A. Rekha Naik and ITDA Project Officer R.V. Karnan.
The Project Officer said the move of the ITDA was to protect the gullible Adivasis from being exploited by middlemen and others by purchasing spurious seed from them. He said the organisations have ensured supply of quality seed to the tribal farmers so that the latter reap benefits. Mr. Karnan asked the PVTG farmers to approach banks for crop loans instead of private money lenders. He said banks charge a low interest of 70 paisa while the money lenders charged exorbitantly.
Seed for promoting millets, pulses would be supplied as a measure of promoting inter cropping with cotton through Daily Requirement depots. Girijana Samakhya president Mothubai and Birsaipet sarpanch Ankavva also attended.
