Hyderabad: With the Southwest Monsoon expected to arrive early this year, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed the State Agriculture Department to get ready for the upcoming Kharif season.
He asked officials to prepare a solid action plan and make sure that seeds and fertilisers are available in every district. He warned that strong legal action would be taken against anyone selling fake or low-quality seeds to farmers.
The Chief Minister instructed District Collectors and police officers to stay alert. He wants them to stop the movement and sale of spurious seeds and fertilisers. Agriculture and Police Departments will work together to conduct task force raids across all districts and monitor state borders closely.
Revanth Reddy emphasized that no one should be spared if found cheating farmers. He ordered officials to gather details about illegal seed storage and transport points and take legal action immediately. He also directed that cases should be filed under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against those involved in selling fake seeds.
Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao has been assigned to hold regular meetings with Collectors, Superintendents of Police, and Police Commissioners. These meetings will ensure that seeds and fertilisers are ready and farmers face no shortages during the sowing season.
At a review meeting held at the Secretariat, Revanth Reddy and Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao met with department officials to check the state’s readiness for Kharif farming. Officials said that enough seeds and fertilisers have already been stocked, especially for the expected rise in paddy and cotton cultivation. Seeds from popular companies will also be made available in the markets.
The Chief Minister assured farmers that they don’t need to worry about seed or fertiliser shortages. He advised them to follow the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) updates carefully, as early rains are likely. He urged farmers to begin planting crops at the right time and avoid buying seeds from unreliable sources.
Revanth Reddy also warned against purchasing loose seeds. He told farmers to always keep bills and original seed packets safe until the end of the harvest, in case any issues arise.
