: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to manage the water sources of the irrigation projects properly and ensure that there is no shortage of water. He was reviewing the preparations by the agriculture department for cultivation during the Kharif season in AP on Wednesday. Officials of the agriculture and irrigation department participated in the meeting held at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Officials explained the irrigation water release plan to the CM. They said water was released to the Godavari delta on June 1. Water release started on July 3 through Pattiseema, Pushkara, Tatipudi and Purushottamapatnam.
There is no water availability in Pulichinthala. Hence Krishna Delta will be irrigated by the water from Pattiseema,” they said. The officials reported to the CM that the rains this season “are good” despite the heat wave in June.
At present, the rains were at the expected level. “Only 45 mandals are rain-deficient and an average of 50 per cent excess rainfall has been recorded.” In this season till now 4,14,490 lakh acres were to be cultivated while 3,04,604 acres have been cultivated, they said.
Naidu said cultivation has become burdensome due to the previous government’s policies. “Farmers having the most debts in the country are our farmers. Cultivation costs should be reduced through government subsidies and policies.
” The CM said the previous TD government used to conduct regular soil tests and provide nutrients to the farme.