Medak MP Urges Centre to Boost Sunflower Procurement Under MSP Scheme

Hyderabad: The BJP Member of Parliament representing Medak, M. Raghunandan Rao, has called on the central government to raise sunflower procurement levels under the Minimum Support Price and Price Support Scheme for the current Yasangi 2025-26 agricultural season in Telangana.

During Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's recent visit to Hyderabad, the MP presented a formal representation requesting immediate action on the matter.

Production Surge Outpaces Procurement Approval

Raghunandan Rao highlighted a substantial growth in sunflower farming across the state. Cultivation area expanded from 21,091 acres to 27,675 acres, while production estimates climbed from 13,935 metric tonnes to 19,373 metric tonnes.

Despite this expansion, the Centre's procurement allocation falls far short of requirements. The Telangana government had proposed purchasing 10,499 metric tonnes, yet the Union approved only 3,690 metric tonnes through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India operating via TG MARKFED. The MP contended that this approved quantity is insufficient given the significant increase in both acreage and output this season.

Price Collapse Threatens Farmer Livelihoods

The situation is compounded by a severe downturn in sunflower prices. Farmers are currently selling their produce at approximately ₹5,376 per quintal, substantially below the declared Minimum Support Price of ₹7,721 per quintal. This gap has created acute financial hardship for cultivators across the state.

Raghunandan Rao noted that growers in Gajwel, Siddipet, and Medak had planted sunflower anticipating fair returns. The collapse in market rates has instead created considerable uncertainty among producers in these regions.

Appeal for Enhanced Procurement

The MP has urged the central government to increase the procurement target to 10,839 metric tonnes, representing approximately 75 per cent of the estimated production. He argued that boosting procurement levels would prevent distress sales and safeguard the economic interests of smallholder and marginal farmers throughout Telangana.