Agriculture celebrations
Hyderabad, june 02: In a remarkable effort to boost comprehensive agricultural development in Telangana state, the government has implemented several initiatives to support farmers and revolutionize the agricultural sector. Chief Minister Shri. K. Chandrasekhar Rao, recognizing the significance of agriculture and the challenges faced by farmers, devised a comprehensive plan to address their concerns and uplift their livelihoods.
One of the key achievements of the government is the provision of 24-hour free electricity to agricultural operations, benefiting over 27 lakh agricultural motors across the state. With an annual expenditure of Rs. 10,000 crores, the government has strengthened the power supply system, spending a total of Rs. 36,179 crores. This uninterrupted power supply has played a pivotal role in transforming barren agricultural lands into green, productive fields, covering a cultivated area of 2 crore 16 lakh acres.
To alleviate financial burdens on farmers, the government introduced the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, offering crop investment assistance of Rs. 10,000 per acre annually to approximately 65 lakh farmers. Since its inception in the 2018 monsoon season, a staggering amount of Rs. 65,192 crores has been directly deposited into the accounts of farmers, making Telangana the only state in the country to provide such extensive support.
Recognizing the importance of knowledge sharing and farmer empowerment, the government constructed 2,601 Rythu Vedikas, farmer platforms, across the state. These platforms serve as forums for farmers to discuss agricultural issues, receive guidance, and contribute to Telangana’s agricultural progress.
The Kaleshwaram project stands as a milestone in the history of the country. Completed in a record time of three and a half years, this massive lift irrigation project aims to stabilize irrigation water for an additional 20 lakh acres. By effectively utilizing pumps, the project lifts water from the Godavari river, elevating it from a height of 80 meters above sea level to a maximum of 618 meters. The project has transformed Telangana by ensuring a permanent water source for 250 km and developing over 20 lakh acres of new agricultural land. Telangana now boasts more than 20 reservoirs, providing water for agriculture and making it the rice bowl of the country.
The government has made significant strides in increasing agricultural productivity and yield. By adopting modern tillage techniques, utilizing quality seeds, and ensuring timely availability of fertilizers, crop production and productivity have multiplied manifold. Telangana has emerged as a leading state in rice production, competing with Punjab, with a staggering production of 2 crore eighteen lakh tons of paddy. Furthermore, the state has achieved the top position in cotton production nationwide.
In addition to crop diversification, the government has promoted oil palm cultivation to benefit farmers. The area under oil palm cultivation has expanded from 32 thousand acres to over one lakh five thousand acres. The Agriculture Department aims to increase the cultivation area to 20 lakh acres.
Telangana’s relentless efforts in transforming agriculture have led to a remarkable increase in the cultivated area. In 2013-14, crops were grown in one crore acres, while by 2022-23, this figure has risen to 2 crore 20 lakh acres. Crop yield has also witnessed a significant surge, with paddy yield increasing by 341 percent and cotton yield increasing by 66 percent.
To ensure fair prices for farmers, the government has established seven thousand paddy procurement centers and actively purchases all the rice produced by farmers at the support price. In addition, the government has taken strict measures to prevent the use of spurious seeds, introducing online seed certification and implementing stringent actions against counterfeiters.
With the government’s relentless focus on agricultural development and farmer welfare, Telangana’s agriculture sector has become a profitable venture. By providing quality free electricity, ensuring irrigation water availability, and promoting modern farming techniques, the government empowers farmers to achieve higher yields and economic growth. Telangana is rapidly progressing towards becoming the country’s leading agricultural state, and its farmers are emerging as the most prosperous in the nation.
