Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the State government is committed to supporting farmers and promoting profitable paddy varieties that offer better returns in domestic and international markets.
Chairing a Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Bhatti Vikramarka reviewed agricultural production, paddy procurement, storage facilities and preparations for the upcoming kharif season.
Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao attended the meeting. The Deputy Chief Minister said the government is pursuing two objectives. It aims to provide fine-quality rice to consumers while ensuring better incomes for farmers.
Profitable paddy varieties can boost farmer incomes
During the meeting, the Telangana State Farmers’ Commission recommended large-scale cultivation of profitable paddy varieties, including BPT 5204, Telangana Sona (RNR 15048), KNM-1638, Jai Sriram and HMT.
The Commission said these profitable paddy varieties enjoy strong demand in both domestic and international markets. As a result, farmers can secure higher returns compared to conventional varieties.
Furthermore, the Commission informed the committee that quality seed stocks for these varieties are available in sufficient quantities. It recommended extensive awareness programmes to encourage cultivation across the State.
According to the Commission, wider adoption of these profitable paddy varieties would increase farm incomes and strengthen agricultural markets.
Profitable paddy varieties support sustainable agriculture
The Commission said large-scale promotion of profitable paddy varieties would help Telangana move towards a more sustainable and market-oriented agricultural economy.
However, it also highlighted procurement challenges faced by farmers. The Commission noted that the Food Corporation of India has reduced procurement operations in recent years.
It pointed out that FCI is not procuring boiled rice, which has affected both farmers and the rice milling industry. The Commission further stated that Central government procurement policies have created difficulties for Telangana’s agriculture sector.
Farmers’ Commission Chairman M. Kodanda Reddy, Seed Corporation Chairman Anvesh Reddy, Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra, National Millers Association President Devender Reddy and senior officials attended the meeting.