Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said employees should become farmers and understand agriculture by engaging directly with farming activities.
He made the remarks on Sunday while inaugurating a newly constructed farmers’ shelter and the “Farmers Value Addition & Food Processing Laboratory” at Dr. Ramanaidu–Eklavya Grameen Vikas Foundation Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Tuniki village of Medak district.
The facility was established under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). During the visit, the Union Minister interacted with officials and reviewed the activities carried out by the KVK to support farmers.
Bandi Sanjay also visited stalls set up at the venue and examined various agricultural initiatives and training programmes organised for farmers.
Training programmes support employees should become farmers’ vision
Speaking at the programme, Bandi Sanjay praised the Eklavya Grameen Foundation and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra for training farmers in modern agriculture and marketing practices. He said such initiatives help farmers process crops, package products, and sell them profitably in the market.
He added that the newly launched farmers’ hostel and food processing laboratory would provide accommodation and practical training to farmers visiting the centre. According to him, these programmes will strengthen farmers’ productivity and marketing capacity.
The minister also highlighted the Centre’s efforts to promote Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs). He said the government launched the scheme six years ago to help small and marginal farmers work collectively and secure better prices.
According to him, the government has already spent Rs. 6,865 crore under the programme and achieved the target of establishing 10,000 FPOs across the country. More than 56 lakh farmers have joined these organisations, including about 22 lakh women farmers.
Bandi Sanjay said the initiative allows farmers to store produce, process crops and sell them collectively through organised platforms. He noted that the Tuniki KVK has established two FPOs and also promoted an organic FPO in an adopted village.
He further appreciated the centre for providing agricultural guidance to nearly one lakh farmers in Medak district through the Kisan Saradhi portal.
Medak MP Raghunandan Rao, ICAR Director General Mangilal Jath, District Additional Collector Nagesh, and Eklavya Grameen Foundation founder Dr. Bagayya attended the event along with several officials.