Marking a policy shift, Revanth Reddy advocates for crop diversification, admits paddy cultivation was not a solution
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged farmers to adopt crop diversification, citing surplus paddy and low returns. His remarks mark a shift from his earlier stance and focus on promoting commercial crops and sustainable agriculture
Siddipet: In a significant policy reversal, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged farmers to adopt crop diversification, a position that contrasts sharply with his earlier stance as an Opposition leader when he had criticised similar appeals made by the previous BRS government.
Addressing a public meeting in Siddipet on Sunday, the Chief Minister said paddy cultivation was not a sustainable solution. He pointed out that despite production and exports, there was a surplus of paddy in global markets. Referring to a recent statement by the Union government that only 50 lakh metric tonnes would be procured, he questioned the viability of continued large-scale paddy cultivation.
“Already, this year the State government has procured 71 lakh metric tonnes. What should be done with the excess stock?” he asked.
The Chief Minister’s remarks assume significance in the backdrop of his earlier opposition to crop diversification. When former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had advocated reducing paddy cultivation, Revanth Reddy, then Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, had strongly opposed the move.
Highlighting the challenges, Revanth Reddy said that efforts to export surplus paddy had not yielded remunerative prices, making cultivation increasingly unviable. He stressed that diversification into commercial crops was necessary to address these issues.
He noted that different districts historically specialised in specific crops. In the past, Rangareddy district was known for vineyards, vegetables, and leafy greens, but fertile lands had since been converted into real estate layouts.
“As a result, essential commodities such as milk, vegetables, and eggs are now being sourced from other States,” he said, urging farmers to reassess cropping patterns. He directed Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao to create awareness and prepare plans to encourage farmers to shift towards commercial crops.
Assuring farmers, the Chief Minister said there should be no apprehension about losses from diversification. He pointed out that demand for millets and organic produce was rising and could be tapped locally. He recalled how a farmer could buy one tola of gold after selling one quintal of turmeric, but now gold prices have risen sharply, while turmeric prices have dropped.
Revanth Reddy claimed that agriculture could offer higher returns than corporate and IT sector jobs if pursued efficiently. “If there is skill, earning is not a challenge,” he said, adding that people from various communities were successfully engaged in diverse professions.
On oil palm cultivation, he said it was currently spread across 3 lakh acres and assured that the government was ready to procure the entire produce even if the area expanded to 10 lakh acres. However, he acknowledged that the crop takes four years to yield and sought financial support from the Centre to assist farmers during the gestation period.
He proposed approaching the Central government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to seek support for promoting crop diversification and making commercial cultivation remunerative.
The Chief Minister said that despite financial constraints, the State government was continuing farmers’ welfare schemes, including free power and bonus-based procurement. Of the Rs 9,000 crore under Rythu Bharosa, Rs 3,600 crore was being released immediately, with the remaining amount to be disbursed within 45 days.
Admitting financial limitations, he said that while funds were released within nine days earlier, delays were now due to constraints. He claimed that the Congress government was spending Rs 5,500 crore monthly on farmers’ welfare compared to Rs 2,533 crore during the previous regime.
Referring to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, he warned of a possible urea shortage due to disruptions in supply chains and called for prioritising allocation from the Ramagundam fertiliser plant to Telangana. He also advocated the use of nano urea to reduce dependency.
Revanth Reddy suggested that the Agriculture Minister lead a delegation, including BJP MPs from the State, to press for Central support. He emphasised the need for political coordination beyond electoral considerations.
Stating that political differences should not hinder governance, he said he maintained cordial relations with leaders across parties, including BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao, T Harish Rao, and K T Rama Rao, and asserted that there was no bias in fund allocation or project approvals.
He added that the oil palm factory works began in 2024 and could have been shifted elsewhere if required. Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that a Congress MLA from Siddipet in the 2029 elections would be inducted into the Cabinet.
