Hyderabad: BJP MP M. Raghunandan Rao urged the Centre to increase sunflower procurement under the Minimum Support Price and Price Support Scheme for the Yasangi 2025-26 season in Telangana.
The Medak MP met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his visit to Hyderabad and submitted a representation seeking immediate intervention.
Raghunandan Rao said sunflower cultivation in Telangana increased sharply from 21,091 acres to 27,675 acres. Consequently, estimated production rose from 13,935 metric tonnes to 19,373 metric tonnes.
Sunflower procurement demand rises in Telangana
The MP stated that the Telangana government proposed procurement of 10,499 metric tonnes. However, the Centre approved procurement of only 3,690 metric tonnes through National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India via TG MARKFED.
He said the approved quantity remained inadequate because cultivation and production increased significantly this season.
Raghunandan Rao also expressed concern over the steep fall in sunflower prices. He said farmers currently sold sunflower at nearly ₹5,376 per quintal against the declared MSP of ₹7,721 per quintal.
According to the MP, the sharp decline in prices pushed farmers into severe financial distress.
Sunflower procurement sought to prevent distress sales
Raghunandan Rao informed the Union Minister that farmers in Gajwel, Siddipet and Medak cultivated sunflower expecting remunerative prices.
However, low market rates created uncertainty among growers across these regions.
The MP urged the Centre to enhance the procurement target from 3,690 metric tonnes to 10,839 metric tonnes, which accounts for nearly 75 per cent of the estimated production.
He said higher sunflower procurement would prevent distress sales and protect the interests of small and marginal farmers in Telangana.