N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has proposed creating a new top-level institution called the Indian School of Agriculture to strengthen the farming sector. He shared this idea while addressing the sixth District Collectors’ Conference held in Amaravati on Wednesday.
Naidu said agriculture is one of the most important sectors for the state and the country. He explained that farming should have a strong institutional system similar to what exists in technology fields like information technology, artificial intelligence, and quantum research.
According to the chief minister, India has well-known institutions for business and technology, such as the Indian School of Business, which train professionals and promote innovation. He said a similar model should be developed for agriculture so that farming can benefit from advanced education, research, and new ideas.
Naidu believes that a specialised agricultural institution could help develop modern solutions for farmers. It could support research in areas such as crop technology, irrigation methods, climate-friendly farming, and agricultural marketing. He said such an institution would help build a strong system that can increase productivity and improve farmers’ incomes.
The chief minister also stressed that agriculture needs more professional management and scientific thinking. He said farmers face many challenges, including weather changes, rising costs, and market fluctuations. A strong educational and research institution could help address these issues.
During the conference, Naidu also spoke about the importance of planning for the future. He said that the government wants to develop policies that create long-term benefits for farmers and rural communities.
The chief minister noted that his administration has been introducing many governance changes over the past 20 months. These changes are aimed at improving development, strengthening welfare schemes, and ensuring better governance across the state.
Naidu also highlighted that the government has been regularly reviewing governance issues every three months. According to him, this approach helps officials identify problems early and take corrective action quickly.
He said the government is working with limited financial resources but is still trying to maintain a balance between welfare programmes, development projects, and efficient administration.
Naidu also pointed out that the working style of the administration has changed in recent years. Earlier, many government officials mainly worked in offices by handling files and paperwork. Now, the system has shifted more towards digital and virtual working methods.
The chief minister said this new approach helps improve efficiency and allows officials to respond to issues faster. It also helps improve communication between departments and reduces delays in decision-making.
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Apart from the agriculture proposal, Naidu also gave several directions to district collectors regarding governance and welfare programmes. District collectors are senior administrative officers responsible for managing government work at the district level.
Naidu asked collectors to ensure that government welfare schemes reach the people who need them the most. He said many good programmes are created by the government, but sometimes people do not know about them. Because of this, eligible beneficiaries may miss the benefits.
To solve this problem, the chief minister directed officials to increase awareness about government schemes. He said proper publicity and communication are necessary so that people understand the benefits available to them.
He also asked collectors to ensure that welfare programmes are implemented properly at the grassroots level. According to him, even small delays or negligence in implementation can affect thousands of people.
Naidu emphasised that government targets must be achieved with full dedication and responsibility. He said officials should work closely with local communities and organisations to improve delivery of services.
The chief minister also discussed several welfare initiatives currently being implemented by the state government. One important programme he mentioned was the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme, which supports farmers financially.
Naidu announced that the third instalment of this scheme will be released on March 13. Under this programme, the state government will transfer its share of financial support directly into farmers’ bank accounts. The amount will also include funds provided by the central government.
Direct transfers are intended to ensure that farmers receive the money quickly and without middlemen. The government believes this system improves transparency and reduces corruption.
The chief minister also urged farmer organisations, irrigation associations, and primary cooperative societies to actively participate in the Rythanna Meekosam programme. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between the government and farmers.
Naidu further announced that water for the Kharif crop season will be released on May 15. Early irrigation support will help farmers prepare their fields and start cultivation on time.
Housing welfare was another key topic discussed during the conference. The chief minister said that the government plans to organise collective housewarming ceremonies for about 2.5 lakh beneficiaries. These events will be held as a special Ugadi gift under the state’s housing welfare programme.
Naidu also mentioned welfare measures for persons with disabilities. Under the Indra Dhanussu scheme, the government has introduced free travel in state-run RTC buses for people with disabilities.
In addition, the chief minister highlighted steps taken to reduce electricity costs. He said the government has implemented a policy called “True Down” in electricity charges for the first time. Under this decision, the state government is bearing a financial burden of about ₹4,600 crore.
According to Naidu, the electricity purchase price will be reduced by 39 paise this year. The government believes that lowering electricity costs will help households as well as farmers who depend on power for irrigation.
Overall, the chief minister said that the government’s goal is to improve governance while supporting farmers, rural communities, and vulnerable groups. Through better planning, stronger institutions, and efficient administration, the state hopes to promote long-term development and prosperity.
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