Hans News Service Kothagudem

YellanduMLA Koram Kanakaiah on Wednesday launched the State government’s Fertiliser Booking App in Tekulapalli mandal of the district, enabling reyots to book urea from their homes in a hassle-free manner.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the app was part of a series of welfare and development initiatives aimed at improving access to agricultural inputs and services.

The MLA said ensuring adequate availability of fertilisers to every farmer was a priority of the government. He stated that continuous efforts were being made to prevent any shortage of fertilisers during the cultivation season.

Kanakaiah emphasised that the government had extended support to farmers during the previous season by procuring maize at a remunerative price and absorbing losses in the interest of farmers. He alleged that despite such measures, some groups were spreading misinformation about the government’s commitment to the farming community.

Speaking on the occasion, Collector Ankit said the district would require nearly 40,000 metric tonnes of urea during the current agricultural season, while around 15,000 metric tonnes were presently available.

He assured farmers that the government was taking all necessary measures to ensure an adequate supply of fertilisers.

Ankit advised farmers against excessive use of urea, stating that overuse could reduce soil fertility and increase future dependence on chemical fertilisers. He urged farmers to follow scientific cultivation practices and adopt balanced fertiliser application as recommended by agriculture department officials.

The Collector noted that maize cultivation had reached record levels in the district this year. In view of the possibility of below-normal rainfall due to the El Niño effect, he advised farmers to adopt crop diversification and crop rotation practices to minimise risks and improve farm incomes.

He directed agriculture department officials to create widespread awareness about the Fertiliser Booking App among farmers and informed that urea was being made available through five Rythu Vedikas in Tekulapalli mandal. Farmers were also urged to make use of the government’s toll-free helpline, 1800-123-7157, for assistance.

Several public representatives, cooperative society officials, agriculture department officers and farmers attended the programme.