Rajahmundry, Sep 9th: The horticulture authorities are giving various varieties of vegetable seeds worth nearly Rs 5 lakh to the farmers to raise them during the on-going kharif and the ensuing rabi seasons as part of a contingency plan in East Godavari district. Following deficit rainfall and its impact upon the raising crops for both the seasons, the state government issued directions to the horticulture authorities to supply specific varieties of seeds to the farmers at 75 per cent subsidiary to encourage the farmers to raise them.

On the other hand, the horticulture authorities are also distributing nearly 20,000 kits of seeds containing seven to eight varieties of vegetables to the public in rural areas with each kit costing Rs 10. The seeds including tomato, ladyfinger, bitter gourd, bottle gourd and cluster beans. The villagers having backyards are being encouraged to raise these seeds during kharif and rabi seasons. Horticulture assistant director Mr. B. Subramanyam said, “We are encouraging farmers to raise vegetables by supplying seeds at 75 per cent subsidiary to ensure more production and keep tab on their prices”.