Creating a brighter future : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Creating a brighter future

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Millennium Post, New Delhi (02-06-2020)

(Through the use of regulatory farming, Telangana is working to empower and enrich its farmers as it works towards becoming the ‘Rice Bowl’ of India-Editor).

A survey conducted by the government seems to have arrived at a decision that a majority of farmers are in favour of regulatory farming in Telangana. This is a good augury. The government which has already announced its policy in favour of this, will obviously stand in support of farmers. Agriculture will be abundantly benefited through regulatory farming leading to creation of over a lakh crore rupee of wealth and also a wealthy farmer.

The life and existence of Telangana and its sixty-five lakhs of farmers is mingled with agriculture besides many others depending on it. This unorganised sector was totally neglected in the united AP government as a result of which farmers suffered enormously in the past. Agriculture went into a crisis. After the Telangana state was formed thanks to umpteen welfare measures taken by the government, the situation bettered and improved marvelously.

The farmer is always at crossroads with regards to his product. If the farmer wants to sell there are no buyers, but, if he or anybody in need wants to buy the agriculture produce, the prices are sky high. The state government has made several attempts to bring in a much desirable change in the farm sector, and it is still doing work in this direction. The government is solving each and every problem of agriculture sector in the state one by one. Major irrigation projects are getting completed. By next year Monsoon season, water will be visible everywhere. There is round the clock quality power supply.

CM KCR reinforces in various platforms that much more needs to be done to improve their lot and make agriculture not only mere remunerative but highly profitable. This would ensure the state of Telangana shaping into the Rice Bowl of India. Towards this direction CM envisaged a new Agriculture policy.

            This presupposes, in the words of CM KCR, that the practice of every farmer preferring the same crop should be done away with. The main reason why farmers are not getting competitive price for their produce is cultivating the same crops. Henceforth department of agriculture will suggest the kind of crop to be grown in a particular field in a regulatory manner. They will also identify the suitability of soil for a particular crop for a better yield in a given season. The food needs and habits of the population, market demand, export opportunities etc. will be taken into consideration. The future of agriculture should be promising. The Telangana farmers should earn profits by selling quality produce in the world market says CM KCR always.

The then governments did not bother about the agriculture sector. Farmers used to cultivate crops according to their whims and fancies. Since everyone cultivated the same crop, there was every likelihood of fall in the price. Now the situation has drastically changed in the State. Water for irrigation is reaching every nook and corner of the State. Due to 24-hour power supply, cultivation is taking place under the borewells too. If farmers are provided with right guidance, they can have profitable agriculture. Changes will come in the cultivation methods, selection of the crops, use of fertilisers, marketing of the produce. The New Agriculture Policy is towards this direction.

            Even those who prefer always Paddy, the scenario is that the farmers are going in for the coarse variety, as the cultivation period is less whereas majority of people eat only fine variety rice. This variety has in great demand in other States and countries too. Now that we have water facility for irrigation, famers should cultivate more fine rice variety.

Telangana Sona rice brand is developed by the Telangana Agriculture scientists. This variety of rice is good for the diabetes patients.  The agriculture experts have identified this as sugar-free rice. The Glycaemic Index percentage is low on Telangana Sona variety. The American Journals stated that this rice is healthy. Telangana Sona variety has a brand image. Hence it is desirable to go for it.

            Ground Nut, Red Gram, Oil Palm have demand in the market. In addition, we should identify other such crops. Then it has to be decided to what extent of land can be used to grow these crops. There is a scarcity of fruits and vegetables in the State. It requires a deep study on what percentage these can be cultivated. However, there should be an attitudinal change among the farmers to cultivate the crops which are in demand in the market and which are in tune with eating habits of the people.

The Government has now firmly decided that paddy should be cultivated in a regulatory manner beginning with this Monsoon season. CM KCR reiterated that the endeavour was to get the farmers Rythu Bandhu support cent per cent and to make them get a competitive price for their crops through regulatory farming methods and cultivation. He declared that only by cultivating the crops that have demand in the market, the farmers would get a good price. He said that Agriculture department, Agriculture University will guide farmers which crop to cultivate and if farmers follow the suggestions, they will not face any problem,

            Last year in the State during Monsoon paddy was cultivated in about 40 lakh acres. This time also it is proposed that paddy should be cultivated in the same extent of land. Last year, Cotton was cultivated in 53 Lakh acres. This year it would be increased to 70 Lakh acres. Red gram was cultivated in 7 lakh acres last year. This year it would be in 15 Lakh acres. Soya bean, Turmeric, Chilli, vegetables and other such crops like in the last year, would be cultivated in the same extent of land. Farmers producing variety of seeds should continue their efforts.

It is felt that maize cultivation is not beneficial during the monsoon and hence should not cultivate during the season.  Maize can be cultivated during Rabi. Those cultivating maize during the monsoon will be switching over to Cotton and Grams. It is desirable if the farmer is cautious about the Paddy varieties. It is advisable to cultivate those varieties, which have demand in the market like the Telangana Sona variety. Cluster wise farmers’ conferences to create awareness among farmer about the regulatory farming methods are being organised to explain the vision of government.

The government has further decided to set up Seed Regulatory Authority in the State. Since it was decided that crops as identified by the government would be cultivated, seeds of the crops identified by the government henceforth would be sold.  The Seed regulatory Authority will ensure that only seeds of the crops identified by the government are sold.

Against this backdrop, there should be a change in the use of fertilisers and pesticides. Since farmers have no proper knowledge on the matter, they are trusting the traders and using fertilisers and pesticides. Farmers are to be educated and informed about the correct usage of fertilisers and pesticides in moderate quantities and their benefits. They should also be informed that crops which used more fertilisers will not have any demand in the international market.