September 4, 2006

India's state of Andhra Pradesh to aim for better grains

India's state government in Andhra Pradesh government is planning to improve seed replacement rate of all crops in next three years, an official release on Sunday (Sep 3) said.

Accounting for one-fifth of agricultural exports and contributing over three million tonnes of foodgrain yearly to the national buffer stocks, the state is hammering out a 'technology transfer strategy' to utilise quality seeds.

India's crop yield has long lagged behind those of developing countries such as US and even China.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy urged agriculture scientists to come up with more innovative technologies for higher yields with minimum water utility.