AMARAVATI: The Centre has nominated Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) concept for Food Agriculture Organisation's (
FAO
) 'champion' award.
RBKs have been designed as one-stop solution to all farmer grievances. Interestingly, RBK is the only new concept from the six nominations sent by the Centre for 'champion' award. While four are from research category, a project from Odisha is also on the list.
FAO country head
Tomio Shichiri
during his recent visit to the state lauded the RBK concept and signed an MOU with the AP government to strengthen the project. "It brings revolutionary changes in the agriculture sector. It is a model to other states," said Shichiri.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, agriculture minister
Kakani Govardhan Reddy
said that they were proud to get nominated by the Centre for the FAO's champion award.
"We are confident of bagging the prestigious champion award after the final scrutiny by FAO, an arm of
United Nations Organisation (UNO)," said Govardhan Reddy.
Banks setting up ATMs in RBKsHe said that the state government has proposed 10,778 RBKs across the state of which own buildings were readied for about 3,000.
He said that the state government is working to complete the remaining projects. He added that the RBKs were designed to provide all assistance right from seed to fertilizer supply, procurement of grains and payment of crop insurance. The RBKs were promoted to see that no farmer is needed to step out of their village for any assistance, he said.
"We agree that there are some glitches in the implementation of various schemes. Since it is a new concept, they are bound to happen. We will strengthen them in such a way that farmers get full support right in their neighbourhood," said the agriculture minister, adding that several banks are setting up ATMs in the RBKs.