Kakinada, May 19^th: The East Godavari district administration has fixed targets for both Kharif and Rabi season yields under the action plan 2009-10. In addition to fixing targets steps were also taken for supply of water for irrigation under the Godavari, Yeluru and other sources. The administration has fixed a target of 12.39 lakh metric tones paddy for Kharif and 12.12 lakh mts for the second crop in the district. The department hopes farmers will extend their cooperation for achieving the goal.

To avoid the last minute tension to both farmers and the administration the latter wants the mobilization of resources at faster pace. It will be conducting a joint meeting with company representatives, fertilizer dealers, pesticides and seed suppliers on May 23 to take stock of the situation and ensure quality supply to farmers. Steps have already been initiated to check the sale of spurious seed and down graded pesticides, which will damage the crops.

The agriculture and irrigation departments are taking steps to release water from Godavari River on June 1 itself. In 2008 the water was released on June 21 due to which many problems were faced by the farmers due to lack of adequate water. Farmers were asked to utilize the water resources carefully instead of depending completely on Godavari. According to district collector, loans to the tune of Rs 1460.79 crores will also be disbursed to farmers.