Protect Crops: Pocharam tells officials

Minister for Agriculture P Srinivas Reddy today directed the officials concerned to prepare plans to protect the crops in the wake of shortfall of rains.

The Minister held a high level review meeting here with officials and discussed on the Kharif preparedness and steps being taken to distribute waters to the standing crops and that of horticulture. Stating that state has witnessed a shortage of 66 per cent rainfall against the normal rains in August during the Monsoon season, Srinivas Reddy asked the officials to give suggestions to the farmers from time to time. As the standing crops, including paddy, fruits, vegetables and flower gardens withering in the State, steps must be taken to protect them, he said. The minister asked the officials of Agriculture wing, horticulture, Jayashankar Agriculture varsity professors, Konda Lakshman Bapuji Horticulture varsity officials to coordinate and give timely suggestions to the farmers to protect the standing crops. (NSS)