Telangana seeks enhanced federal backing for agricultural sector amid procurement challenges

Hyderabad: During a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at ICAR-IIOR in Rajendranagar on Thursday, Telangana's Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao presented a comprehensive case for enhanced central government assistance to address farmer distress across multiple crop sectors.

The state minister highlighted that Telangana prioritises farmer prosperity, agricultural diversification, water management and horticultural expansion. While the state government has implemented measures aimed at securing profitable returns for agricultural produce, Tummala stressed that federal intervention remains critical in several key areas.

Cereal crops face procurement gaps

Maize and jowar production has emerged as a significant concern. The Yasangi season saw these crops cultivated across approximately 20.29 lakh acres, yielding an estimated 47.23 lakh metric tonnes of output.

A stark price disparity has created hardship for cultivators. While the Centre established a minimum support price of ₹2,400 per quintal for maize, market rates have hovered around ₹1,800 per quintal, leaving farmers in financial distress.

Telangana has responded by establishing 336 procurement centres that have acquired roughly 11.45 lakh metric tonnes of maize. However, Tummala petitioned the Centre to formally incorporate maize and jowar under the Price Support Scheme and facilitate procurement of 14.90 lakh metric tonnes of maize alongside 2.01 lakh metric tonnes of jowar via central nodal agencies. He additionally sought assistance for storage, transportation and logistical infrastructure.

Sunflower cultivation demands urgent attention

Sunflower farming has expanded considerably this season, yet federal procurement authorization remains inadequate. The Centre has sanctioned procurement of merely 3,690 metric tonnes—insufficient to absorb farmer output.

Despite the minimum support price standing at ₹7,721 per quintal, growers encounter substantially depressed prices in commercial markets. Compounding these difficulties, unseasonal precipitation and climatic variations have damaged stored crops in market yards and open areas.

Tummala urged immediate action to increase the sunflower procurement ceiling from 3,690 metric tonnes to 15,262 metric tonnes, warning that without swift intervention, smallholder and marginal farmers face devastating financial losses.

Oil palm expansion and herbicide-tolerant cotton concerns

The minister noted Telangana's leading position nationally in oil palm cultivation implementation. Currently, 79,448 farmers engage in oil palm farming across 1.16 lakh hectares. The government envisions further expansion by 34,000 hectares during 2026-27.

Beyond cereals and oilseeds, Tummala raised concerns regarding the proliferation of herbicide-tolerant cotton seeds nationwide. He called upon the Centre to develop a comprehensive national policy that safeguards farmer interests. The minister attributed farmers' shift toward HT cotton to labour scarcity, escalating production expenses and substantial expenditures for weed control.

Tummala reiterated the state government's commitment to fortifying the agricultural sector and advancing farmer welfare, emphasising that coordinated federal-state action remains essential for sustainable rural prosperity.