The Agriculture sector will undergo a major restructure for the benefit of farmers says newly appointed Minister Dr. Mahendra Reddy.
Dr Reddy who previously held the position of Minister for Waterways – now has added portfolios apart from the Waterways which include Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and Environment.
”Agriculture, quite a bit of philosophical change I am looking at. Revamping the Research Stations, ensuring that the link between the research and the farmer’s extension is there and working – so major work needs to be done there and I want to work very closely with the research section.”
Dr Reddy says for Waterways and Environment, the platform has already been set and they will progress on the work from there.
” The bigger things that we need to do – that we haven’t begun in Waterways. These are description of catchment, waterway modeling – these things we have yet to start – so there is quite a bit of work to be done – but this has been mapped out – so it is a matter of rolling that.”
The Minister also outlined an ambitious two year plan for the Rural and Maritime sector – which he says will be carried together with his two assistant ministers.
Dr. Reddy says he will be looking at institutions outside the government which include universities for ideas and technical assistance to carry out the major reforms.
