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KCR is trying hard to be a friend to farmers

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Amarnath K Menon
Amarnath K MenonMay 03, 2017 | 10:44

KCR is trying hard to be a friend to farmers

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is determined to turn a radical farmer-friendly reformer beyond easy compare. In recent weeks, he has announced a slew of sops and measures to woo and win them over in the run up to the next Assembly elections.

His latest proposal is to slap an ordinance soon to check the menace of spurious seeds. While punishing those who indulge in their trade, his plan is to prosecute the involved companies and penalise them if the crops fail.

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The chief minister assures to stand by the farmers’ right of getting input expenses through minimum support price for the produce. His endeavour is to strengthen the rural economy and make farming not only a sustainable activity but also convert it into a profitable venture. Agriculture officials are to begin a month-long survey of farmlands on May 10 to prepare an accurate database for evolving and implementing new farm policies and initiatives.

In earlier announcements, he has promised to ensure 24X7 free supply of power, a fertiliser subsidy of Rs 4,000 per acre to all farmers from next year, and other larger initiatives like timely supply of water for irrigation from various projects, adequate supply of fertilisers and appropriate advice from agronomists to farmers..

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Its impact is already being felt, with the paddy harvest during the yasangi season expected to bring 50 per cent more than last year’s yield, though it fell short of the sowing targets. “The chief minister’s commitment and initiatives to bring prosperity to farmers is bearing fruit,” exults state agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy.

However, there are vexatious issues like the slump in prices of turmeric and red chilly that is, for a change, occupying the mind space of rival party politicians. Farmers have shown repeatedly that the red chilly is not hot at all, by the series of protests at market yards, particularly in Khammam and Warangal. “The responsibility of ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers lies more with the Central government than the state, as it decides the MSP for crops,” emphasises marketing minister T Harish Rao.

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The ruling TRS is now blaming the BJP-led NDA government for its delay in announcing a bonus to chilli farmers. The crisis began a month ago when agriculture markets in Telangana received more than three lakh tonne of chilli produce — a record yield after several years.

With supplies aplenty, prices slumped from Rs 12,000 a tonne last year to less than Rs 3,000 a tonne this year. The state sent proposals to the Union government requesting to give at least Rs 1,500 a tonne as bonus so that farmers get a reasonable rate. But the Union government is yet to respond.

KCR says, to solve the MSP problem permanently, a fund of Rs 500 crore will be instituted and the agricultural produce sold through farmers committees. That apart, the government is advocating the adoption of the electronic National Agricultural Market (eNAM) for online trade of agricultural produce. eNam is an initiative by the government for creating a pan-Indian electronic portal for the sale and purchase of farm produce.

But, for now, an overwhelming 91 per cent of the trade on eNam is from Haryana, making all other states slow starters, if not learners.

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(Courtesy of Mail Today.)

Last updated: May 03, 2017 | 10:46
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