AP CM says, accords top priority to agriculture and education

By Our Special Correspondent

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy told the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting here on Sunday that the Andhra Pradesh government is giving top priority to agriculture and education sectors.

The Chief Minister presented the note highlighting the programs being undertaken by his government in two fields. After bifurcation (in 2014) Andhra Pradesh became a completely agriculture dependent state.

Sixty-two percent of the population lives on agriculture and contributes 35 percent to GSDP. That is why we have given utmost priority to this sector," said the Chief Minister.

Jagan listed initiatives like establishment of 10,778 Rythu Bharosa Kendras, one-stop shop for all agricultural needs, free crop insurance and PM Kisan-Raitu Bharosa Input Assistance Scheme.

“Digital technology is also widely used to monitor purchase of agricultural produce. E-Crop Booking is another initiative that will help in effective implementation of input subsidy, crop insurance and similar schemes and is also focused on natural and organic farming, crop rotation and cultivation of millets,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister said that many programs have been undertaken in the education sector with the firm belief that poverty eradication can be achieved only through good education. He lamented that the gross enrollment ratio in the state was only 84.48 percent while the national average in primary education was 99.21 percent.

Jagan said that 55,000 schools will be renovated in three phases, 15,715 schools will be renovated in the first phase to provide a better learning environment for students, and English language education will be encouraged in schools so that children can face international competition. Emphasis is placed on skill development at the undergraduate level, even through traditional courses.

In 2020-21, 69,000 students got campus placements after graduation, he said. He said that the aim of the state government is to ensure that the benefits of the schemes are transparently provided to all the eligible people.