Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy asserted on Sunday that the government was doing everything to ensure farmers did not suffer for want of urea and fertilizer. After achieving a record production of 204 lakh tonnes of foodgrain last year, the State was set to surpass the distinction. At a press conference, after reviewing the fertilizer supply with Agriculture Commissioner Sunil Sharma, he reeled off statistics to prove how the Telugu Desam neglected farmers during its nine-year rule. Whether it was supply of quality seed, fertilizer or crop loaning, the Congress proved, since 2004, that it was closest to farmers, he said. Responding to criticism by TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Minister said compared to a lending of Rs. 9,000 crore to farmers in 2003-04, the government this year was targeting a whopping Rs. 42,000 crore.


Published Date : Sep 13,Monday 01:20Pm IST

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