Telangana CM launches Rythu Nestham program, addresses farmers’ concerns

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the Rythu Nestham program.

He was also joined by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and other officials.

During the conference, farmers from various districts shared their success stories, detailing how they are profiting from their crops.

Chief Minister Reddy assured unwavering support to farmers amid challenging drought conditions, emphasizing the need to face the situation collectively.

He acknowledged the serious water scarcity due to a year-long lack of proper rainfall, with demands for water release from reservoirs in Karimnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Mahbubnagar areas.

Innovatively executed, the Rythu Nestham program connects 2601 farmers’ platforms across the state through video conferencing, allowing direct communication with agricultural experts.

The initiative aims to address farmers’ issues, provide crop-related advice, and share advanced updates. In the first phase, video conference units have been established in 110 assembly constituencies on an experimental basis, with a budget of Rs.97 crores.

Chief Minister Reddy expressed the program’s utility in understanding farmers’ problems throughout the seasons and providing timely advice. Farmers will directly engage with agricultural experts, fostering knowledge-sharing and community support. The government’s commitment to assisting farmers at every stage, from seed selection to crop sale, was reiterated.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao highlighted the recent implementation of the crop insurance scheme, offering support to families in case of farmer accidents and ensuring compensation for crop-related losses. They reassured farmers of the government’s commitment to stand by them in the face of hardships.

In his advice to farmers, Chief Minister Reddy urged diversifying crops beyond rice and cotton, emphasizing the potential for higher yields through rotation.

He encouraged farmers to take advantage of the Rythu Nestham program to communicate their issues, assuring its extension to all villages in the future. The government’s initiatives, including farmer assurance, loan waiver, and the procurement of crop products, were emphasized as efforts to ensure profitability for farmers.

The Chief Minister urged farmers not to lose courage, assuring ongoing government support in the face of adversities.