Kodanda Reddy slams turmeric pricing, calls for action on seed fraud and crop mechanisation

Hyderabad: Nizamabad has become the main centre for turmeric in the state, said Telangana State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission chairman M. Kodanda Reddy, but farmers are still not getting fair prices. Speaking to the media, he said the central government set up a turmeric board here, yet market returns remain poor.

He compared turmeric prices at the neighbouring Sangli market in Maharashtra, which are higher. One reason, he said, is the lower curcumin content in local produce. The state lacks seeds with high curcumin levels. Kerala’s Erode seed has higher curcumin, he added.

Kodanda Reddy said farmers need modern machinery for turmeric extraction, boiling, and polishing. It is the Centre’s responsibility to provide these. He urged both central and state governments to set politics aside and focus on farmers’ needs.

He said the Rythu Commission has also advised the state horticulture department to promote processing industries. Turmeric-based products can be marketed under a single brand. He blamed past governments for ignoring these steps.

On the sugar industry, he said it was functional since the Nizam era, continued through the united Andhra Pradesh, but shut down before Telangana’s formation. The BRS government ignored it. He said the Congress party would work to revive it.

Though Telangana is suitable for seed cultivation, farmers are not being educated properly. Multinational companies are producing all kinds of seeds here, but working through organisers without direct farmer contact. Farmers get cheated while organisers benefit.

He said the commission visited Mulugu and Suryapet, formed a committee and gathered reports. Cases were found where cattle died after eating leftover stalks. Farm labourers fell ill. A few deaths were also reported.

He expressed concern over rampant fake seed distribution. Blamed seed companies for the situation. Pointed out several frauds by Syngenta. The company even obtained an exemption from market fee payments.

A new seed law is expected soon. He called for the protection of traditional crops, noting how other countries give them priority. Here, he said, both state and country are neglecting them.

The cultivation area for sugarcane and turmeric is shrinking. Mechanisation is essential for these crops. He said they requested a separate budget for that.