Wanaparthy: The State government has released Rs 5,100 crore for the Rythu Bandhu scheme for the ongoing yasangi (rabi) season and farming activity has gained pace in rural Telangana. With all elections in the State also coming to an end, lawmakers will now focus on implementation of schemes for the next four years besides giving a tweak to processes to boost agricultural production. One person who plays a crucial role in steering the State’s agricultural sector is Minister for Agriculture S Niranjan Reddy. In an exclusive interview to Telangana Today, Niranjan Reddy tells Vivek Bhoomi the various issues concerning the sector which has been the backbone of the economy.
What are the priorities and plans of the State government for the agricultural sector for the next 4 years?
We will be looking at diversification of crops, achieving high yield while reducing the costs. Promoting oil palms and other oil seeds will be done in a major way. In the coming budget, State government is planning big on subsidies for horticulture as well. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s aim is to see that there is no hue and cry in purchasing activity and that the process needs to be smooth and remunerative for farmers. Food safety, economic sustainability and bio-diversity are the corner-stones for the efforts we will continue to build upon.
Why such a sudden push for oil seeds production?
Our country has been importing edible oils worth Rs 70,000 crore annually, out of which Rs 40,000 crore is being spent for importing palm oil. We need to bridge this gap. Oil palms cultivation is highly profitable and our agro-climatic conditions are suitable for this farming. We have been taking slew of measures by re-opening Beechupally oil mill, training farmers in oil palms cultivation and would subsidise oil palms in a major way starting this year.
Groundnut production is also our strength which needs to be capitalised upon by opening seed processing and groundnut processing units and by producing a high-yielding and high quality seed which is standardised and giving it to farmers. Groundnut exports are being encouraged from Wanaparthy, Nagarkurnool and other areas where their production is high.
With regard to horticulture, what are your plans?
Cultivation of vegetables, leafy vegetables and flowers in a radius of 50-70 km around Hyderabad would be a priority, as these areas have easy access to markets. Cultivable area in horticulture has been increasing steadily across the State. You would be surprised to know that 2 lakh farmers have registered online for micro-irrigation subsidies. Government is ready to give pandals, shadow-nets and subsidised seeds to farmers going for horticultural farming.
How is the government planning to encourage and promote organic farming?
If I’m a farmer employing organic farming methods in my farm and farmers around my land are using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, what is the use of me doing organic farming? This change has to come from within the society. There are many organisations and individuals who have been doing great work by spreading awareness on organic farming and driving this change which is much needed.
Now that many tribals have received pattas for their lands, what are the State government’s initiatives for these indigenous people living in forests with regard to farming?
Tribals cultivating crops is a good thing, but it shouldn’t happen at the cost of deforestation. What we can do is encourage them for horticultural farming. In some agency areas ITDAs are doing a good job and this has to be extended to all forest areas. But farming should not only meet the dietary needs of tribals, but should be able to change their economic conditions for the betterment. In the days to come, we are going to hold a meeting with the higher-ups of ITDA, forest, agriculture and horticulture departments to chalk-out a plan to start this effort.
What do you have to say on farmer suicides in Telangana?
Firstly, suicide is never the solution. Having said that, what has been happening in Telangana is that debts for marriages, children’s education and other such needs have been mounting on the farmers and the returns they are getting from agriculture are not being enough to clear those debts. As a result, farmer is going into that debt trap and committing suicide. While the government’s schemes like Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima, subsidies and extension of irrigation would ultimately contain the situation to an extent. Financial discipline in rural families is the need of the hour.
Former Agriculture Minister P Srinivas Reddy was a great advocate of farm mechanisation. Schemes were also introduced during his period for distribution of such equipment. What is your take on mechanisation versus farm labourers losing work?
If we do not welcome technology, we are not progressive. People are not expected to work like bulls. They should work with brains and skills. Every task in farming is associated with a specialised skill. If these skills are aided with technology, people would start thinking more productively.
Four years from now, what would the people of Telangana remember Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy for?
I would be remembered for upholding the pride of farmers and as a pro-farmer oriented Minister, who would add glamour to agriculture and someone who would attract the younger generation into agriculture as a profession.
What are your expectations from farmers of Telangana and what are your words of wisdom for them?
I strongly believe that even if a farmer owns one acre land with water availability, he/she can earn Rs 4 lakh per year. Farmers need to identify the crops, plan as per the market demand. For example, this is the time best suitable for growing tomatoes as they would be in high demand in the summer. After that they can cultivate something else. Farmers should be wary of market fluctuations and seasonal demand. Why just 3 crops a year? One can even cultivate 4 different crops a year by effectively managing time and available resources. Intelligent farming is needed to achieve this.
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