AP Govt Expecting For Marginal Increase In Foodgrain Production

Hyderabad: Notwithstanding a setback in kharif season, the Andhra Pradesh Government is hoping to register total foodgrain output of 174.72 lakh tonnes for 2006-07 against 169.50 lakh tonnes last year. The State recorded marginal growth in the kharif season, with the total food grain production pegged at 94.11 lakh tonnes (93.83 lakh tonnes). Estimates for paddy for the whole year are placed at 126.64 lakh tonnes (117.04 lakh tonnes). The rabi season proved to be handy for the State to recoup. She pegged the rabi contribution at 80.61 lakh tonnes during the year against 75.67 lakh tonnes last year. The estimations for oil seeds were put at 15.73 lakh tonnes (20.42 lakh tonnes). Overall, the groundnut estimations for the year is put at 8.54 lakh tonnes, lower from 13.66 lakh tonnes.
The Department has banned Mahyco Seeds chilli seed variety, Tejaswini, in Khammam district for three years after farmers complained of its poor performance in some mandals. The Agriculture Ministry had initiated 107 cases with regard to spurious seeds in 2006-07. Also, the Government urged 13 companies, against whom 26 complaints were received, to pay compensation for selling seeds that were non-adaptable, genetically impure and susceptible to viruses in some districts. The list included Mahyco Seeds, Namdhari Seeds, Ankur Seeds and Vishal Seeds. These companies were urged to pay a total compensation of Rs 3.62 crore for varied reasons. Of this, Mahyco Seeds alone was asked to pay about Rs 2 crore. However, these companies approached the High Court challenging the Department's contention.