Harish Rao slams Centre and State over farmer welfare, seeks subsidy on agri equipment

BRS leader T Harish Rao criticised the Central and State governments for neglecting farmers’ welfare, warned against duty-free imports from the US, sought higher subsidies for farm equipment, and demanded immediate release of Rythu Bharosa assistance.

Hyderabad: Launching a scathing attack on the Central and State governments for failing to protect farmers’ interests and neglecting their welfare, BRS Deputy Floor Leader and former Minister T Harish Rao on Saturday stressed the need to provide agricultural equipment to farmers on subsidy.

He expressed concern over the adverse impact of the Indian government’s tie-up with the United States government. As part of the agreement, soybeans, maize and cotton would be imported without taxes, which could spell doom for farmers, especially those from Adilabad, Karimnagar and Nizamabad, he said while speaking at the Telugu Rythubadi Agri Show 2026.

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Many farmers were cultivating maize extensively, and he questioned their future if maize, cotton and soybeans worth Rs 45 lakh crore were imported from the US.

Referring to palm oil imports, Harish Rao said that earlier a 25 per cent tax was levied on crude palm oil, which had now been reduced to 16 per cent. As a result, the price per tonne declined from Rs 25,000 to Rs 21,000. “The Central government should explain the logic behind reducing the tax and the benefits accrued to farmers,” he demanded.

He also criticised the Congress government for neglecting the hardships faced by farmers in the State. He said the farming community was facing a severe labour shortage and that farmers were dependent on workers from Punjab, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh for sowing, plantation and post-harvest activities.

Without hamalies from Bihar, stocks could not be loaded from drying platforms and unloaded at mills, he said, adding that farmers in many countries were using advanced technology, which should also be provided to ryots in Telangana.

Stressing that farming would become profitable only with efficient use of machinery and technology, Harish Rao said agricultural equipment should be offered on high subsidy. He alleged that no subsidy had been provided on equipment in the last 25 months.

“Farmers need security and assurance, which former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had ensured. It is February 21 and still there is no Rythu Bharosa. The Congress government should release the assistance immediately,” he demanded.

Criticising the State government for introducing an app-based urea distribution system without adequate support mechanisms, he said many farmers were unable to book urea online, while others lacked passbooks.

“Two urea bags are being offered, but what about those without passbooks? Even after eight months, many farmers and land purchasers have not received passbooks. The government must always think from the farmers’ perspective,” he said.