SKOCH Star of Governance Award

Andhra Pradesh

Agriculture

SKOCH Star of Governance Award

Andhra Pradesh

Agriculture

Dr Seediri Appalaraju, Hon'ble Minister, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Govenment of Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi, 18th June 2022

To supply pre-tested quality inputs and to carry out procurement, 10,725 Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBK) have been set up as a one-stop shop for farmers. There is one RBK per 2,000 population in rural areas having agricultural activity. This has created a proper interface between the farmers, scientists and extension officers at the village level. These are multi-functional kiosks with facilities such as touchscreen, Aadhaar authentication infrastructure and digital payments. YSR Mobile app and web-based dashboard are used for performance tracking for the scheme that covers all 54 lakh farmers in the state.

L to R: ; Dr Seediri Appalaraju, Hon’ble Minister, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Govenment of Andhra Pradesh; Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group

Efforts toward farmers’ welfare undertaken by the State Seeds Development Corporation, particularly for seeds distribution is helping farmers with improved yield. Before 2019, the distribution of the seed was at the Mandal and Subdivision level; now it is taking place at the village level through RBKs. Farmers are rid of their transportation burden and are now using pre-tested seeds. The seed distribution is timely too – well before the monsoon or sowing season. All the RBKs are being used for seed distribution and have already distributed nearly 12,000 qtls of Redgram, Blackgram and Greengram for enhancing pulse production. In addition, 33 millets-cum-processing units are being set up in all parliamentary constituencies. Providing certified seeds has increased the yield/acre 10 to 15 % which has led to an increase in income for farmers. Nearly 2,000 to 2,500 production farmers and about 17 lakh farmers are being benefitted by getting quality basic input.