Telangana
Farmers Should Be Extensively Educated: TG Cabinet Sub Committee
Hyderabad: The Cabinet Sub-Committee, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, held a detailed review meeting on Monday at Praja Bhavan. The committee extensively discussed agricultural production, paddy procurement operations, storage infrastructure, and the upcoming kharif cultivation season in the state. Agricultural university professors and scientists participated in the meeting and presented several important recommendations.
The experts recommended that the government take special measures to encourage farmers to cultivate the following eight profitable and export-friendly rice varieties:
- BPT 5204
- Telangana Sona (RNR 15048)
- KNM-1638
- Jai Sriram
- HMT
- WGL 962
- WGL 44
- JGL 1798
According to scientists from agricultural universities, these varieties have strong market demand and can provide farmers with better returns.
Strong Export Potential
Experts highlighted that these rice varieties are highly suitable for export from Telangana and enjoy significant demand in countries such as the United States, Australia, and various countries in Europe. Given their popularity, these varieties are expected to command prices significantly above the MSP, making them highly profitable for farmers.
Scientists also clarified that there is no shortage of seeds for these varieties in the market, making it feasible to expand cultivation rapidly.
Market-Oriented Cultivation Needed
Agricultural experts emphasized that promoting these eight varieties is the most effective way to:
- Increase farmers’ incomes substantially.
- Protect farmers from fluctuations and risks in international market prices.
- Strengthen Telangana’s position in profitable rice cultivation.
They recommended organizing special awareness programs in villages across the state to encourage farmers to adopt these varieties on a larger scale.
Demand Concerns for Other Fine Rice Varieties
Officials from the Civil Supplies Department informed the ministers that not all fine rice varieties currently cultivated in the state enjoy strong market demand.
Some varieties produce a high percentage of broken rice during milling, while others do not meet consumer preferences. As a result, millers and traders are reluctant to purchase them.
Officials suggested that the state should gradually reduce cultivation of low-demand varieties and instead promote only those varieties that are:
- Preferred by consumers,
- Favored by millers and traders, and
- Suitable for international exports.
Benefits of the Proposed Approach
Officials explained that under this model:
- Millers may directly approach farmers to purchase paddy at better prices.
- Farmers would earn higher incomes.
- Consumers would have access to quality rice at affordable prices.
The committee was also informed that paddy procurement in the state should continue in accordance with the policies of the Government of India. Agricultural officials stressed that future crop planning should be increasingly aligned with market demand to prevent losses to farmers.
Agricultural experts and scientists have advised the government to launch large-scale awareness campaigns among farmers regarding eight premium paddy varieties that enjoy excellent demand not only in domestic markets but also internationally.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and D. Sridhar Babu, Kodandaram Reddy, Anvesh Reddy, Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Surender Mohan, Gopi, Rahul Raj, Stephen Ravindra, and other senior officials.