Agriculture minister Atchannaidu pushes crop planning for sustainability

Vijayawada: Agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu appealed to members in the Assembly to discourage indiscriminate paddy cultivation in order to prevent crop losses and protect farmers from financial distress. Responding to queries raised by legislators, the minister said that while water availability often encourages farmers to take up paddy, unplanned expansion of the crop leads to market gluts and poor returns.He urged farmers to gradually shift towards horticulture crops, which offer better price realisation and higher income potential. "Farmers should take informed decisions and not rush into paddy cultivation merely because water is available," he said. Atchannaidu emphasised the need for crop diversification and scientific planning based on soil conditions, market demand, and long-term sustainability, adding that the govt is ready to extend support to farmers who opt for alternative crops with better revenue prospects.The minister said the coalition govt formulated a clear action plan aimed at enhancing farmers' incomes through scientific crop diversification. He revealed that in the 2025–26 crop year, 38.97 lakh farmers are cultivating paddy in the State — 26.94 lakh during kharif and 12.03 lakh during rabi. With groundwater depletion becoming a concern in high paddy-growing regions, the govt is promoting pulses, millets, and oilseeds through awareness programmes, the supply of quality seeds, technical guidance, and marketing support.Atchannaidu said a certified seed production plan is being implemented with support from Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University to provide modern, high-yielding varieties to farmers. He stressed that changing food habits, market demand, and water availability make crop diversification essential.The minister clarified that the govt is not asking farmers to completely stop paddy cultivation but is encouraging a shift to quality and export-oriented varieties. In the first phase, crop diversion will be taken up in 15 lakh hectares from Rayalaseema to Prakasam district, with the goal of developing the region into a horticulture hub. Plans are underway to mobilise ₹30,000 crore from the Centre and ₹70,000 crore from private players for horticulture development.He pointed out that while paddy yields an average profit of ₹6,000 per acre annually, red gram fetches ₹26,000, black gram ₹21,000, jowar ₹16,000, and oil palm up to ₹1.5 lakh per acre. Farmers opting for diversification will be provided free oil palm saplings, drip and sprinkler systems, technical support, and assured procurement. MSP of ₹2,400 is announced for maize, with procurement through Markfed.With reservoirs currently holding 90% water, the minister called for advancing the kharif season by 2 months and launching village-level awareness drives from May. He also said 9.13 lakh tenant farmers were issued CCRCs and loans worth ₹4,474 crore were sanctioned, reiterating the govt's commitment to sustainable agriculture and higher farm incomes.