Hanamkonda: Each mandal to have 2 model villages: Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil

Hanamkonda: Two villages in each mandal would be developed as agriculture models under Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme, Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil said. Speaking at a meeting at the Collectorate here on Friday, he said that government initiatives related to agriculture and its ancillary units would be implemented in the model villages.

"All the developmental activities under ATMA scheme would be implemented in Thatikayala village under Dharmasagar mandal, chosen by Rajya Sabha member Banda Prakash for the Central Government flagship programme - Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)," the Collector said.

He said that impetus would be on mechanisation of agriculture. This apart, the farmers would be taken on exposure visits to other States to create awareness on modernisation of farming, he said. The Collector told the officials to set up toll free number for Eruvaka programme. To attend the calls, three agriculture graduates would be appointed, he said.

Agriculture joint director Usha Dayal, horticulture officer Srinivas Rao, fisheries officer Sathish, sericulture officer Muralidhar Reddy, animal husbandry JD Dr RJ Paramjyothy and Mamnoor KVK programme coordinator J Narasimha were among others present.