Wed Feb 12 00:26:00 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Orders Crackdown on Spurious Seeds
**Vijayawada, February 12, 2025** – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a strict crackdown on the sale of counterfeit seeds following concerns raised by state ministers about losses incurred by farmers. At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the Chief Minister directed agriculture officials to rigorously enforce traceability and certification systems and to take strong action against suppliers of spurious seeds, including license revocation and heavy penalties.
Mr. Naidu emphasized the importance of achieving the targeted 20% growth rate in the agriculture sector through planned measures. He called for the promotion of high-income horticultural crops and encouraged farmers to adopt superior crop varieties from both India and abroad. The Chief Minister also stressed the need for improved regulation of the Public Distribution System (PDS) rice recycling process to ensure high-quality grain supply to farmers.
Further support for fishermen and sheep farmers was announced, with officials instructed to develop and implement action plans. Financial assistance for fishermen is scheduled for April, and the implementation of the ‘Rythu Bharosa’ farmer support scheme will continue. A report detailing progress in the agriculture sector until January was presented to the Chief Minister.
First Piper 