Hyderabad: Deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday said the Congress govt is moving forward with the twin objectives of ensuring poor families having access to fine-quality rice and making farmers economically empowered.Speaking after holding the cabinet sub-committee meeting at the Secretariat, he emphasised that farmers are being encouraged to cultivate premium paddy varieties that enjoy strong demand both nationally and internationally. The meeting was also attended by ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao.
The committee reviewed agricultural production in the state, paddy procurement operations, storage facilities, and preparations for the Kharif season. During the meeting, the Telangana State Farmers’ Commission recommended that the govt take special measures to promote large-scale cultivation of profitable paddy varieties such as BPT 5204, Telangana Sona (RNR 15048), KNM-1638, Jai Sriram, and HMT. The Commission noted that these varieties enjoy strong demand in domestic and international markets, thereby offering better returns to farmers.The commission further informed that there is ample availability of quality seed for these premium varieties and that their cultivation could significantly enhance farmers’ incomes. It recommended that the govt accord top priority to these varieties and organize extensive awareness programs across villages to educate farmers about their benefits.The Farmers’ Commission also pointed out that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been reducing procurement, creating difficulties for the state.
