CM Revanth Reddy Orders Major Agriculture Reforms, High-Level Committee to Monitor Crop Procurement in Telangana

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to implement a comprehensive plan and specific action strategy covering everything from seed supply to the purchase of crop produce from farmers. The Chief Minister said the Agriculture Department must have complete information at every stage, from sowing of crops to farmer records, crop details, yield estimates and paddy procurement.

The review meeting on rains, the agriculture season and measures to be taken was held at MCR HRD Bodhi Pavilion. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and D. Sridhar Babu, Rajya Sabha Member V. Narender Reddy, Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, and other senior officials.

Discussion on Paddy Procurement and Farmer Welfare

During the meeting, discussions were held on experiences from paddy procurement so far and measures needed to ensure farmers do not face any difficulties.

Suggestions and recommendations provided by the Rythu Commission, Agriculture University, and agricultural experts regarding smooth procurement operations were also reviewed.

The Chief Minister directed officials to immediately form a high-level committee so that procurement operations from the next season are conducted smoothly without causing inconvenience to farmers.

High-Level Committee to Monitor Crop and Procurement Data

The committee will function under the leadership of the Agriculture Secretary and include:

• Agriculture Department Director
• Civil Supplies Department Managing Director
• Planning Department Secretary

The committee will continuously monitor:

• Seed distribution
• Farmer registration in all villages
• Crop details and records
• Crop production estimates
• Paddy procurement
• Precautions and actions required at various stages until procurement is completed

Use of Technology and Field-Level Monitoring

The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct field-level monitoring and make use of modern technology for the process.

He instructed that accurate details should be recorded regarding:

• Which farmer cultivated which crop
• Crop acreage in each village
• Crop-wise cultivation details

These details should be collected through field-level verification.

Directions on MSP and Crop Procurement

The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure smooth procurement of crop produce in the state in accordance with Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and quotas fixed by the Central Government.

He also instructed officials to prepare action plans in advance for:

• Untimely rains during procurement
• Weighment
• Transportation
• Storage
• Marketing

Bonus for Fine Rice Varieties and Seed Subsidy

Since the government is providing a bonus to farmers cultivating fine rice varieties (Sanna Vadlu), the Chief Minister directed officials to make 7 varieties of fine paddy seeds available.

Key instructions included:

• Provide these seeds to farmers on subsidy
• Make seeds available at Rythu Vedikas
• Collect complete data of farmers cultivating fine rice varieties
• Ensure the Agriculture Department has complete awareness of paddy yield estimates

Rythu Vedikas to Become Farmer Service Centres

The Chief Minister said Rythu Vedikas should be transformed into centres that are more useful to farmers.

He directed that farmers should be able to:

• Register their details
• Purchase seeds
• Purchase fertilizers

at Rythu Vedikas themselves.

He also instructed that each Rythu Vedika should have:

• One Agriculture Department officer
• One Revenue Department officer
• One Police Department officer

Responsibility for management and monitoring in districts should be assigned to Additional Collectors.

AI Technology to Be Used in Agriculture

The Chief Minister directed officials to study the results of the AI pilot project launched in Dammapeta Mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district and explore the use of Artificial Intelligence technology in the Agriculture Department.

Fertilizer Distribution Through Mobile App

To improve transparency and speed in fertilizer distribution, the Chief Minister directed officials to introduce a system under which all types of fertilizers can be booked through a mobile application.

The instructions include:

• Farmers should be able to book fertilizers through an app
• Urea booked through the app should be distributed via Rythu Vedikas
• Responsibility for urea distribution should be assigned to Additional Collectors

Directions to Tummala Nageswara Rao on Fertilizer Allocation

The Chief Minister advised Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao to regularly write to the Central Government regarding allocations of urea and other fertilizers required for the Kharif season.

He also directed efforts to ensure that fertilizers produced at the Ramagundam FCI Fertilizer Factory are allocated in larger quantities to Telangana by exerting pressure on the Centre.

Meeting with MPs on Fertilizer Situation

The Chief Minister suggested conducting a meeting with MPs from all political parties to explain the actual fertilizer situation in the state.

If necessary, he said a team of Ministers and MPs should visit New Delhi and submit a representation to the Central Government.

MARKFED Losses Reduced, Government Gets Better Maize Tender Rate

The Chief Minister instructed officials to take steps to reduce losses of MARKFED.

He stated that because the government acted strategically this time without yielding to traders, losses arising from maize procurement could be reduced.

According to the Chief Minister:

• Earlier maize was sold at Rs. 13,000 per tonne
• This time the tender rate was more than Rs. 21,000 per tonne

Directions to Strengthen Oilfed and Government Dairy

The Chief Minister directed officials to further strengthen Oilfed and move it towards profitability.

He also emphasized strengthening the Government Dairy and instructed officials to ensure timely payments to milk farmers.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to implement a comprehensive action plan covering seed supply, farmer data collection, crop monitoring, fertilizer distribution and crop procurement. During the review meeting held at MCR HRD Bodhi Pavilion, attended by Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, Tummala Nageswara Rao, D. Sridhar Babu, V. Narender Reddy, K. Ramakrishna Rao and senior officials, several decisions were taken, including the formation of a high-level committee, subsidy support for 7 varieties of fine paddy seeds, app-based fertilizer booking, use of AI technology, strengthening of Rythu Vedikas, and measures to ensure smooth procurement and farmer welfare.

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