2 weeks ago
Government Plans Permanent Support for Konaseema Coconut Farmers
Many coconut trees in Konaseema are becoming weak and dying.
The government says salty seawater is entering farmland because canals and drains have not been cleaned enough.
It plans to give farmers new coconut saplings to replace damaged trees.
Farmers may receive Rs.1,000 for each replacement sapling.
The government also wants to remove mud from canals and drains so the saltwater problem is reduced.
Work on the Sankaraguptham canal has already received funding.
Other government schemes provide money for planting coconut trees and buying cultivation equipment.
Farmers may also grow cocoa, bananas and vegetables between the coconut trees to earn more money.
The government says these combined steps are intended to give coconut farmers lasting support.
The Andhra Pradesh government plans to replace every damaged coconut tree in Konaseema with a new sapling.
Farmers may receive Rs.1,000 for each replacement sapling under proposals prepared by the government.
Officials linked tree deaths to seawater intrusion caused by inadequate canal and drain desilting over five years.
Funds have been sanctioned for Sankaraguptham canal works, while other canals will be cleaned through an integrated project.
Coconut farmers can access subsidies and assistance for plantations, equipment, intercropping and other cultivation activities.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh state government, Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu, coconut farmers and tenant farmers in Konaseema.
- What
- The government announced plans to replace damaged coconut trees, desilt canals and drains, and expand financial and technical support.
- Where
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh, including the Sankaraguptham canal area.
- When
- The announcement was made in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday; development schemes covered 2017-18 to 2024-25, and the chief minister sought a regional office in 2024.
- Why
- Inadequate canal desilting reportedly allowed seawater into agricultural areas, increasing soil salinity and damaging coconut trees.
Key facts
- Coconut cultivation in Andhra Pradesh
- More than 1.18 lakh hectares
- Coconut cultivation in Konaseema
- About 36,000 hectares
- Tenant-farmed coconut plantations
- About 10,000 hectares in Konaseema
- Replacement assistance proposal
- Rs.1,000 for each new sapling planted for a damaged tree
- Plantation expansion subsidy
- Rs.56,000 per hectare, paid in two Rs.28,000 installments over two years
- Horticulture assistance
- Up to Rs.2,47,950 per hectare over three years for activities including pit digging, planting and equipment
- Development schemes
- 5,250 hectares in Konaseema were covered from 2017-18 to 2024-25
Quotes
K Atchannaidu
Andhra Pradesh agriculture minister
“"Our objective is to plant a new sapling in place of every damaged coconut tree in Konaseema. We will work within a specific timeframe and, along with replacing the damaged trees, address the canal and drainage problems responsible for saline-water intrusion to provide permanent support to coconut farmers," Atchannaidu said.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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