8.4% growth rate achieved under Primary Sector Mission: AP CM

Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi tomorrow to discuss the prevailing drought situation in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today presented a rosy picture saying last fiscal a growth rate of 8.4 per cent was achieved under the Primary Sector Mission (agriculture and allied sectors).
This led to a wealth creation of Rs 1.64 lakh crore, the Chief Minister said.
Naidu held a lengthy meeting with Union Ministers P Ashok Gajapati Raju, Y Satyanarayana Chowdary, state Deputy Chief Minister N China Rajappa, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, other ministers, Chief Secretary Satya Prakash Tucker and top bureaucrats to discuss the issues to be detailed to the PM.

A press release from the Chief Minister's Office said Naidu would make a PowerPoint presentation to the PM to highlight the state's achievements under the Primary Sector Mission and also the Neeru-Pragati (water and progress) programme.
The state was successful in implementing a programme to boost groundwater table, leading to consumption of less power for agriculture, resulting in a saving of Rs 2,000 crore, it said.
Agriculture production went up from 23 to 40 per cent due to soil tests and issue of soil health cards, Naidu said.

The state stood second in the country by taking up micro irrigation in 6.93 lakh hectares.

"In 2016-17, we will use 15,000 rain guns and provide water to one lakh acres in one day. Similarly, we have targeted to dig 6.05 lakh farm ponds to meet the irrigation needs of 3 lakh hectares and benefit 4.5 lakh farmers. We can also store 2.75 TMC ft of water," Naidu said.
"We have done everything to mitigate the drought. Now, all that remains is Central (financial) assistance. We can accomplish Neeru-Pragati, interlinking of rivers and Polavaram multipurpose irrigation project only if the Centre supports us," he remarked.
While the state sought a financial assistance of Rs 2,005.56 crore from the Centre to meet the drought in 2015, it sanctioned only Rs 433.77 crore. Of the sanctioned amount, only Rs 315.95 crore was released, the Chief Minister was informed at the meeting.

Similarly, the Centre sanctioned only Rs 280.19 crore as against Rs 3,501.63 crore sought for relief measures in the wake of damage caused by heavy rains and floods last year, it said.