AP Oilfed for increased oilseed production for next kharif season

As part of the five-year seed plan under the Integrated Scheme for Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM), the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Oilseeds Growers' Federation Limited (AP Oilfed) plans to produce 60,000 quintals of certified seeds for the next kharif season.

AP Oilfed had undertaken production of certified and foundation seeds from breeder seeds with the launch of ISOPOM last kharif season. It had taken up oilseed production last kharif in Proddatur and is taking up in Ananthapur as well this kharif season.

The state government distributed 3,56,430 quintals of subsidised certified and truth labelled (TL) groundnut seeds this kharif season as compared to 4,31,000 quintals in the last season.

T N Rao, manager (P&A), AP Oilfed said, "This season the amount of seed distributed was less, it all depends on the monsoon. But the availability of seed with the farmer due to a good crop last season should be another reason."

Of the total 3,56,430 quintals of certified and TL groundnut seeds disbursed this kharif season, Ananthapur district, which tops in crop coverage as well as production alone, has been allotted 2,25,000 quintals.

Tmv2, Polachi and Jl 24 varieties have been distributed at a subsidised price of Rs 1,650, Rs 1,700 and Rs 1,750 per quintal respectively. The subsidy was Rs 500 per quintal and the seeds were distributed through the network of sale counters linked to the nodal agencies.

The Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Oilseeds Growers' Federation Limited (AP Oilfed), the Andhra Pradesh State Seeds Development Corporation (APSSDC) and the Hyderabad Agricultural Co-operative Association (HACA) were the nodal agencies for the distribution.

The distribution of the oilseeds at a subsidy is part of the Oilseeds Production Programme, modified by the Government of India on the Planning Commissions' recommendations to form a centrally sponsored scheme called the ISOPOM.

Under this initiative, the agriculture department has taken the task of providing oilseeds through its nodal agencies at subsidised price. The department has also taken to non-seed exercises involving crop diversification and inter-cropping.