The Hindu Business Line : AP sets 300 mt horticultural production target by 2012

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has asked agricultural university students to emulate Israel that overcame hostile climatic conditions and evolved as a major exporter of agricultural products to the European countries.

Addressing the students at the 38th annual convocation of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) here on Monday, he said the agricultural scientists there achieved a break-through in overcoming seasonal barriers in agricultural production.

"I don't find any reason why our country with its vast resources and diverse climate, soil, water and scientific strengths should not emerge as one of the leading agricultural countries," he said.

Stating that consumer awareness was greater on issues such as pesticide residues and environmental protection, he said quality aspects should receiver greater attention while meeting the quantity demands.

Horticulture mission

Calling for more focus on commercial avenues of agriculture, he said the State had targeted to enhance horticulture produce to 300 million tonnes by 2011-12 under the State Horticulture Mission.

This, he said, could be achieved through crop diversification to irrigated dry crops through dry land horticulture. The mission was also aimed at facilitating capacity-building and human resource development to achieve the targets.

Referring to the vulnerability of the costal districts to floods and cyclones, the Chief Minister said there was an urgent need to find ways to minimise human, crop and ecological losses through proper monitoring and development of appropriate prediction models.

New varieties

He said it was essential to popularise new varieties and strengthen programmes through good liaison between scientists and officials of Department of Agriculture.

Dr Reddy asked the university officials to give more thrust on research for development of efficient and judicious water management technologies.

More Stories on : Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables | Andhra Pradesh

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