The new Andhra Pradesh government has announced a new farmer support scheme, christened YSR Rythu Bharosa, that will be implemented from October 15 in the state, offering investment support of Rs 12,500 per annum per farmer. The scheme announced by the previous TDP government, named Annadaata Sukhibhava, is being scrapped.

The announcement was made at Amaravati on Thursday after a review on agriculture conducted by the new Chief Minister, Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy. It may be recalled that Annadaata Sukhibhava scheme, offering financial assistance of Rs 15,000 per annum per farmer, was announced by the Telugu Desam Party in its election manifesto. The scheme also includes a component of central assistance of Rs 6,000, then announced by the Central Government.

The YSR Congress announced in its election manifesto that Rs 12,500 per annum per farmer would be given, and though it is less than that offered by the TDP, the party would also free crop insurance and interest-free loans to farmers.

These issues came up for discussion at the review meeting on Thursday and the new Chief Minister left instructions with the officials that stern steps should be taken to control the menace of spurious seeds in the state. Stern action should be taken against companies and dealers selling spurious seeds and pesticides, he instructed the officials. If necessary, the state government would come up with a new act to curb such malpractices.

He also asked the officials to formulate guidelines and prepare the ground for setting up a price stabilisation fund (Rs 3,000 crores) to help farmers in the state.

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